MAGNIFICENCE IN THE MUCK

MAGNIFICENCE IN THE MUCK

Hydatina physis Above: Hydatina physis, the Rose-petal Bubble shell with all its flamboyant lobes displayed. Hydatina physis (Linnaeus, 1758) Commonly called: Rose-Petal Bubble Shell Family: Aplustridae There is a group of sea slugs popularly known as “Bubble...
LIFE AMONGST THE STARS

LIFE AMONGST THE STARS

Asterophilia carlae Above: Asterophilia carlae, the symbiotic scale worm found in its usual habitat on the ventral or underside of a sea star. Asterophilia carlae Hanley, 1989 Commonly called: Carla’s Scale Worm Family: Polynoidae Sea stars are benthic dwellers...
GORGING ON GORGONIANS

GORGING ON GORGONIANS

Cuspivolva platysia (Cate, 1973) Above: The allied cowrie Cuspivolva platysia displaying the warning colouration on its host the gorgonian octocoral Euplexaura sp. and its black siphon in 6 metres of water in the Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast,...
THE PENIS FENCING OF FLATWORMS

THE PENIS FENCING OF FLATWORMS

Pseudobiceros apricus  Newman & Cannon, 1994 Above: A pair of Pseudobiceros apricus playing the bizarre mating game with the pair of penis stylets of one poised to strike down through the skin of its partner, in 14 metres of water on the Arkwright Shoals off...
A PLAIN SHELL BUT AN AMAZING MANTLE

A PLAIN SHELL BUT AN AMAZING MANTLE

Diminovula aurantiomacula Cate & Azuma in Cate, 1973 Above: The tiny and elegant allied cowrie Diminovula aurantiomacula showing the features of both the shell and the mantle as it feeds upon the polyps of its soft coral host in 14 metres of water on the Arkwright...