Phycodrys rubens

Ian Smith I have added an account of Lacuna vincta at http://www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/ Click links in “Similar Species” section to see those spp. as they are not in the set. I was surprised at the vivid colours of the soft parts. I think this may be due to elements in the foodplants Phycodrys rubens and/or Cryptopleura ramosa on which the summer juveniles shown were feeding. I can’t detect the bright colours on images by George Brown of more adult specimens feeding on Laminaria. But I didn’t find the bright colours on the other spp. of Lacuna I found on the same plants. The two images below are L. vincta and L. parva

Ian Smith I have added an account of Lacuna vincta at http://www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/ Click links in “Similar Species” section to see those spp. as they are not in the set. I was surprised at the vivid colours of the soft parts. I think this may be due to elements in the foodplants Phycodrys rubens and/or Cryptopleura ramosa on which the summer juveniles shown were feeding. I can’t detect the bright colours on images by George Brown of more adult specimens feeding on Laminaria. But I didn’t find the bright colours on the other spp. of Lacuna I found on the same plants. The images below are Lft to rt) L. pallidula, L. vincta & L. parva.

Becky Hitchin I continually have traumas with Delesseria sanguinea and Phycodrys rubens. Finally got it sorted on perfect specimens, but could someone tell me if they are distinguisheable on photos like this? Thank you!

Sarah Bowen Most of this looks like Dictyota dichotoma to be honest. The very tatty stuff I'd say is D. sanguinea.

Becky Hitchin Well yes, there's a lot of Dictyota in there! I was focussing on the tatty stuff that could be either Del or Phycodrys. Was wondering if there's a way to tell the difference when it's not beautiful and pristine. Is it only size that would distinguish them like this?