Size
Bonellia viridis size is highly variable and depends on its gender. Females Bonellia viridis can measure up to 8cm (Berec et al. 2005); however, the proboscis, which cannot be fully retracted, can measure up to ten times its retracted length (Ruppert et al. 2004).
On the other hand, males only measure 1 to 3 mm and are found inside the female's body.
The specimens studied on Heron Island never exceeded 1.5 cm in body length.
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Photo by Lucie Malard
Specimen during measurements
This specimen had a body size of 1 cm and a proboscis length of 2.4 cm, although it might not have been fully extended.
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Photo by Lucie Malard
Retracted proboscis, relaxed fork.
In this case, the animal was starting to scavenge for food and therefore was extending its fork and proboscis.
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Photo by Lucie Malard
The fork width of this 1 cm individual was 5mm.
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