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2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
A sap-sucking sea slug (Sacoglossa) described in 2025 from New Caledonia, part of the Cyerce elegans species complex. Like other Cyerce, it readily drops its leaf-like cerata when disturbed and regrows them, and it retains chloroplasts from its algal food.
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Translucent, nearly transparent body with inflated, leaf-like cerata crossed by thin white vein-like lines, with tiny white specks along the margins and triangular clusters of brown spots. A fluorescent green spot at the base of each ceras; some individuals have reddish or brown cerata. Rhinophores translucent white, speckled white at the tips.
Cyerce elegans and C. whaapi are close relatives with similar shape and habitat; the fine white vein-like lines on the cerata distinguish C. basi.
Lagoon and reef habitats, under dead coral rocks and among Halimeda algae, about 1–20 m.
Like other Cyerce, sucks sap from green algae; found among Halimeda.