Plakobranchus ocellatus from Malaysia

October 3, 2003
From: Asther M. Lau

Dear Bill,
Can you help in identifying this weird one. I found it during a night walk down the beach at Perhentian Island, Terengganu, Malaysia. It was low tide and we were walking among the rocks and sand to look for octopuses when I came across so many of this slug hidden underneath the sand.

Water was just ankle deep. I suspect this one eats flat worms too?
Thank you,
Asther M. Lau

diveworldwide@yahoo.com

Lau, A.M., 2003 (Oct 3) Plakobranchus ocellatus from Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11043

Dear Asther,
Your mystery animal is the sacoglossan sea slug Plakobranchus ocellatus. It is related to Elysia and is often found on shallow sandflats. Rather than feeding on flatworms, it is a herbivore, but like many of its relatives it keeps plant chloroplasts alive in its body. Have a look at the Solar-powered sea slugs page. If you look at the species Fact Sheet you will see a photo showing how you can partially unfold the parapodia to see the green ridges on the body where the chloroplasts are stored.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Oct 3). Comment on Plakobranchus ocellatus from Malaysia by Asther M. Lau. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11043

Factsheet

Plakobranchus ocellatus

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