2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Melibe colemani
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 12 mm
- Depth
- 6–8 m
- Native range
- Western Pacific: Malaysia (Borneo), Indonesia and the Philippines.
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Description
A tiny, almost transparent Melibe described in 2012 and named after the Australian naturalist Neville Coleman. It lives embedded in colonies of the soft coral Briareum, often with only its cerata showing, making it extremely hard to find.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/melibe-colemani-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Transparent body through which the cream-white digestive gland tubules are visible. Oral hood with a circular margin and a single row of thin papillae. Four laterally flattened, wedge-shaped cerata on each side, edged with pointed papillae.
Similar species
Melibe bucephala and M. engeli look similar but have cylindrical rather than flattened cerata.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Inside colonies of the soft coral Briareum on reefs; about 6–8 m.
Food
Like other Melibe, probably captures small crustaceans with its oral hood.