Phestilla melanobrachia & parasites

May 12, 2003
From: Lisa Malachowsky

This is a picture that my partner Sharron took while we were in Alor, Indonesia this year in February (2003). I think the slug is Phestilla melanobrachia. I'm trying to confirm if the spiral purple "thingies" on its back are eggs or if this nudi is some other species.

Any ideas?
Lisa Malachowsky

grrldive@pacbell.net

Malachowsky, L., 2003 (May 12) Phestilla melanobrachia & parasites. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9871

Dear Lisa,
Your animal is the coral-feeder Phestilla melanobrachia, but unfortunately for the slug the 'spiral purple thingies' are not part of it. They are the eggs of parasites - probably a parasitic copepod which is living inside the body and poking the eggs out so the larvae can escape when they hatch.
A rather spectacular example.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (May 12). Comment on Phestilla melanobrachia & parasites by Lisa Malachowsky. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9871

Factsheet

Phestilla melanobrachia

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