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

Related messages

  1. Phyllodesmium briareum from the Philippines
    From: Marcel Tanke, August 14, 2008
  2. Phyllodesmium briareum? from Vietnam
    From: Hua Thai Tuyen, March 6, 2008
  3. Phyllodesmium briareum from Lembeh
    From: Bruce Wight, February 17, 2007
  4. Phyllodesmium briareum from Sulawesi
    From: Mike Krampf, November 30, 2006
  5. Re: Phyllodesmium briareum from Singapore
    From: Toh Chay Hoon, November 27, 2006
  6. Phyllodesmium briareum from Singapore
    From: Toh Chay Hoon, May 27, 2006
  7. Re: Phyllodesmium briareum in aquarium shipment
    From: Michael Mrutzek, March 1, 2006
  8. Phyllodesmium briareum in aquarium shipment
    From: Michael Mrutzek, February 27, 2006
  9. Phyllodesmium briareum from Malaysia
    From: Ho Wei Kwok Alvin, October 8, 2005
  10. Phyllodesmium briareum from Vanuatu
    From: Vinka Stenhouse, March 10, 2003
  11. Phyllodesmium briareum from Malaysia
    From: Richard Houghton, July 14, 2002
  12. Phyllodesmium briareum from Papua New Guinea
    From: John Chuk, July 8, 2002
  13. Phyllodesmium briareum from west Malaysia
    From: Kheong Sann Chan, July 2, 2002
  14. Phyllodesmium from Pulau Aur, Malaysia
    From: Barbara Phua, June 26, 2002
  15. Re: Phyllodesmium briareum eggs
    From: Mary Jane Adams , May 27, 2001
  16. Phyllodesmium briareum egg laying
    From: Mary Jane Adams , May 26, 2001
  17. Re: Phyllodesmium briareum from SE Sulawesi
    From: Lindsay Warren, February 21, 2000
  18. Phyllodesmium briareum - direct development?
    From: Lindsay Warren, February 18, 2000
  19. Phyllodesmium briareum from Japan
    From: Rie Nakano, November 29, 1999

Show factsheet and all related messages