This study investigates the ecological interactions of the aeolid nudibranch Spurilla neapolitana, focusing on its life cycle, feeding preferences, and symbiotic relationship with the sea anemone Aiptasia couchii and their shared zooxanthellae. Specimens were collected from the Conero Riviera (Adriatic Sea, Italy) and reared in controlled conditions to examine reproductive strategies and feeding behavior. Laboratory experiments assessed the nudibranch’s response to different prey species, its ability to selectively store nematocysts, and the role of prey-derived metabolites in larval metamorphosis. Results indicate that S. neapolitana exhibits a complex interaction with its prey, recognising the anemone only after what appears to be a casual contact. The nudibranch retains specific nematocysts in its cerata, primarily basitrichs and p-mastigophores, while expelling spirocysts in its feces, suggesting a selective retention mechanism for defensive purposes. Additionally, fecal analysis revealed the presence of expelled zooxanthellae, raising questions about their potential role in symbiont dispersal. Attempts to close the nudibranch's life cycle under laboratory conditions were unsuccessful, highlighting challenges in rearing this species. This study contributes to the understanding of S. neapolitana’s ecological role and underscores the need for further research on the dynamics of its symbiotic and trophic relationships.
Questo studio mira ad analizzare le interazioni ecologiche del nudibranco aeolide Spurilla neapolitana, concentrandosi sul suo ciclo vitale, sulle preferenze alimentari e sulla reazione simbiotica con l’anemone Aiptasia couhcii e le zooxantelle che condividono. Gli esemplari sono stati raccolti nella Riviera del Conero (Mar Adriatico) e allevati in condizioni controllate per studiarne strategie riproduttive e comportamento trofico. Esperimenti di laboratorio hanno valutato la risposta del nudibranco a diverse specie di anemone, la selezione e immagazzinamento di nematocisti e il ruolo dei metaboliti rilasciati dalla sua preda nell’induzione della metamorfosi larvale. I risultati evidenziano una stretta e complessa interazione tra il nudibranco e la sua preda, mostrando una risposta all’anemone solo dopo un contatto tra i due apparentemente casuale. S. neapolitana trattiene selettivamente alcuni tipi di nematocisti nei cerata, in particolare basitrichi e p-mastigofori, mentre espelle spirocisti tramite le feci, suggerendo un meccanismo di selezione finalizzato alla difesa. L'analisi delle feci ha inoltre rivelato la presenza di zooxantelle espulse, sollevando interrogativi sul loro possibile ruolo nella dispersione dei simbionti. Nonostante il notevole impegno, le fasi del ciclo vitale di S. neapolitana non sono state del tutto chiarite tramite l’osservazione in laboratorio, evidenziando le difficoltà nell’allevamento di questa specie. Questo studio fornisce nuove conoscenze sul ruolo ecologico di S. neapolitana e sottolinea la necessità di ulteriori ricerche per comprendere meglio le sue relazioni trofiche e simbiotiche negli ecosistemi costieri mediterranei.
Studi sull'ecologia del nudibranco aeolide Spurilla neapolitana (Mollusca, Heterobranchia)
FASANO, ELISA
2023/2024
Abstract
This study investigates the ecological interactions of the aeolid nudibranch Spurilla neapolitana, focusing on its life cycle, feeding preferences, and symbiotic relationship with the sea anemone Aiptasia couchii and their shared zooxanthellae. Specimens were collected from the Conero Riviera (Adriatic Sea, Italy) and reared in controlled conditions to examine reproductive strategies and feeding behavior. Laboratory experiments assessed the nudibranch’s response to different prey species, its ability to selectively store nematocysts, and the role of prey-derived metabolites in larval metamorphosis. Results indicate that S. neapolitana exhibits a complex interaction with its prey, recognising the anemone only after what appears to be a casual contact. The nudibranch retains specific nematocysts in its cerata, primarily basitrichs and p-mastigophores, while expelling spirocysts in its feces, suggesting a selective retention mechanism for defensive purposes. Additionally, fecal analysis revealed the presence of expelled zooxanthellae, raising questions about their potential role in symbiont dispersal. Attempts to close the nudibranch's life cycle under laboratory conditions were unsuccessful, highlighting challenges in rearing this species. This study contributes to the understanding of S. neapolitana’s ecological role and underscores the need for further research on the dynamics of its symbiotic and trophic relationships.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12075/21210