2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Hypselodoris cerisae
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 20–35 mm
- Native range
- Western Pacific: southern Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia
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Description
A Hypselodoris described in 2018 by Gosliner & Johnson from Long Dong, Taiwan, named after Cerise Chen, who found it. It had previously been confused with H. krakatoa; molecular data place it as sister to the clade containing H. jacksoni, H. reidi and H. iba.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/hypselodoris-cerisae-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Golden-honey ground colour with purple along the front, sides and rear of the mantle and a purple band on the foot edge. Irregular dark brown to black longitudinal lines, with a few opaque white spots beside them. Gill pocket strongly raised; 7–9 narrow gill leaves, red-orange on the outer surface and white at the base. Rhinophores bright red-orange with a white tip.
Similar species
Hypselodoris krakatoa has burnt-orange patches on the mantle, an orange (not purple) rear end, a taller, narrower body and 6–7 gill leaves. H. reidi lacks the black lines and has yellow gills and rhinophores.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Rocky and coral reefs; type specimen from 10 m.
Food
Like other Hypselodoris, presumably feeds on sponges.