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Predation by the nudibranch Tritonia odhneri (Opisthobranchia: Tritoniidae) on octocorals from the South Atlantic Ocean

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Abstract

The diet of the nudibranch mollusc Tritonia odhneri was investigated for the first time based on a detailed anatomical analysis of the gut content of 52 specimens. Digestive tracts of specimens were analysed under stereoscopic microscope equipped with digital camera. Portions of octocorals containing the calcareous sclerites were removed from the tracts and prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sclerite morphology and size were determined at the species and genus level on the basis of a taxonomical revision and compared with fresh octocoral specimens collected from Patagonia (San Jorge Gulf) and with voucher specimens from the collections of Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales (MACN-in). Specific predation of T. odhneri on octocoral species present in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean was detected. The nudibranch feeds on the gorgonians Primnoella divaricata, Primnoella scotiae (=P. compressa) and Tripalea clavaria, and the pennatulaceans Renilla octodentata and Stylatula sp. A world checklist of dietary interactions between species of the genus Tritonia and octocorals is presented and discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the staff of CITEFA, CNEA and MACN for their valuable assistance during SEM sessions; to A. Tablado, who helped us during the study and analysis of the invertebrate collection (MACN-in); to C. Pérez, G. McDonald, G. Williams, M. Zamponi, P. López and S. Cairns for kindly providing specific bibliography; to S. Cairns for his useful comments; and to M. E. Góngora, M. Soutric, L. Jerez and the Observer on Board Program- Fisheries (Secretariat of the Province of Chubut), for their important contribution with specimens and data collection during the prawn fishery. This study was funded by Argentinian grants from GEF-BIRF 28385/AR (A-CB-51) and ANPCyT (PICT 34111). The first author holds fellowships from the ANPCyT/FONCYT (PICT 34111, 2007-2010) and CONICET (2010-2012). C.M. is Research Member of the National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET). The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest and that the research complies with the current laws of the country where it was performed.

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  1. Lab. Ecología Química y Biodiversidad Acuática. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Peatonal Belgrano 3563 1° (1650), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Stella García-Matucheski & Claudia Muniain

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  1. Stella García-Matucheski
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Correspondence to Claudia Muniain.

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García-Matucheski, S., Muniain, C. Predation by the nudibranch Tritonia odhneri (Opisthobranchia: Tritoniidae) on octocorals from the South Atlantic Ocean. Mar Biodiv 41, 287–297 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-010-0063-y

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