PHYLLODESMIUM MAGNUM - (RUDMAN, 1991)
Opisthobranchia (Infraclass) > Nudibranchia (Order) > Dexiarchia (Suborder) > Aeolidida (Infraorder) > Aeolidioidea (Superfamily) > Facelinidae (Family) > Phyllodesmium (Genus)
Grand phyllodesmium,
Phyllodesmium magnum is a species of sea slug, an aolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Facelinidae.
Description
Phyllodesmium magnum is one of the larger species of Phyllodesmium, growing up to 130 mm length. It is characterized by its flattened, curved brownish cerata which have often a bluish tinge and yellowish apices. It rapidly drops off many of its cerata when disturbed (autotomise) The autotomised cerata produce a sticky epithelial secretion and wriggle around vigorously for a considerable length of time after dropping off, apparently causing sufficient distraction to deter further interest in the now even more naked nudibranch. This species contains zooxanthellae.
Distribution
Widespread Indo-West Pacific. The distribution of Phyllodesmium magnum includes Australia, New Caledonia, Marshall Islands, Hong Kong, North Kermadec and Guam.
Alimentation
This species probably feeds on, and obtains its zooxanthellae, from the soft coral Sinularia.
Similar species
Phyllodesmium parangatum (Ortiz & Gosliner, 2003) which is a smaller species, up to 20 mm, and has more cylindrical cerata with white apices. It differs by its milky-white body colour, by the position of the anal papilla, and by the short rhinophores, and the long translucent white oral tentacles. There are also major internal differences in the form of the radula and jaws.
Grand phyllodesmium,
Phyllodesmium magnum is a species of sea slug, an aolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Facelinidae.
Description
Phyllodesmium magnum is one of the larger species of Phyllodesmium, growing up to 130 mm length. It is characterized by its flattened, curved brownish cerata which have often a bluish tinge and yellowish apices. It rapidly drops off many of its cerata when disturbed (autotomise) The autotomised cerata produce a sticky epithelial secretion and wriggle around vigorously for a considerable length of time after dropping off, apparently causing sufficient distraction to deter further interest in the now even more naked nudibranch. This species contains zooxanthellae.
Distribution
Widespread Indo-West Pacific. The distribution of Phyllodesmium magnum includes Australia, New Caledonia, Marshall Islands, Hong Kong, North Kermadec and Guam.
Alimentation
This species probably feeds on, and obtains its zooxanthellae, from the soft coral Sinularia.
Similar species
Phyllodesmium parangatum (Ortiz & Gosliner, 2003) which is a smaller species, up to 20 mm, and has more cylindrical cerata with white apices. It differs by its milky-white body colour, by the position of the anal papilla, and by the short rhinophores, and the long translucent white oral tentacles. There are also major internal differences in the form of the radula and jaws.