Phyllodesmium briareum from Malaysia

June 30, 2002
From: Kenneth Leong


Hi Dr Rudman,
Sometime ago my dive buddy told me of this website and suggested I upload some of my nudi shots. So, on a recent dive we spotted this whitish creature which is about one and a half inch in length, crawling along some corals. I am wondering if you know what this is?

The dive was at Pulau around Dayang Island. West Malaysia. It was around 5pm at a depth of ten meters. The surroundings were mainly hard corals.
Kenneth.

kenleong@pacific.net.sg

Leong, K., 2002 (Jun 30) Phyllodesmium briareum from Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7381

Dear Ken,
This is an aeolid nudibranch called Phyllodesmium briareum. Species of Phyllodesmium feed on soft corals, and this species is no exception. Have a look at the Fact Sheet for this species, and at the other messages about it, for further information on its biology. I have included a closeup of one of your photos to show the brown lines down the cerata. The brown specks are microscopic algal cells [zooxanthellae] which provide the slug with energy. See the pages on Solar powered Slugs for more information on these amazing animals.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jun 30). Comment on Phyllodesmium briareum from Malaysia by Kenneth Leong. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7381

Factsheet

Phyllodesmium briareum

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