Plakobranchus ocellatus from the Philippines

August 15, 2006
From: Charles Raabe

I thought this was an interesting find and would like to know its species if possible.

Locality: Mactan Island, 2 feet, Philippines, Camotes Sea, 08 August 2006, Reef Flat. Length: 1/2 Inch. Photographer: Charles Raabe.

Charles Raabe

charlesr1958@pacific.net.ph

Raabe, C., 2006 (Aug 15) Plakobranchus ocellatus from the Philippines. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17395

Dear Charles,
This isPlakobranchus ocellatus,  a sacoglossan sea slug which lives in coral sand in fairly shallow water. Although a number of names exist for various colour forms, the general consensus is that there is only one species. That is not to say that future work will not recognise more species. Have  a look at the Fact Sheet and other related messages to find out more about the biology of this interesting sea slug.

Like species of Elysia, it has a pair of flaps [parapodia ] which fold over the back of the animal. The green patch you can see in your photo is from the green ridges, packed full of microscopic chloroplasts, which line the inside of the parapodia. See the Solar-powered sea slug  Fact Sheet for further information.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Aug 15). Comment on Plakobranchus ocellatus from the Philippines by Charles Raabe. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17395

Factsheet

Plakobranchus ocellatus

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