2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Melibe digitata
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 25 mm
- Depth
- 1–12 m
- Native range
- Western Pacific: Philippines (Batangas, incl. Anilao) and southern Japan.
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Description
A Philippine Melibe described in 2003, named for its finger-like, repeatedly branched cerata. Its greenish-brown colour likely comes from symbiotic zooxanthellae.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/melibe-digitata-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Translucent creamy white to greenish-brown body, darker green at the ceratal tips. Four to seven cerata per side, unbranched at the base and repeatedly divided into acutely pointed tips in the outer third. Small oral hood with two rows of papillae.
Similar species
Melibe tuberculata is its closest relative but has rounded rather than pointed ceratal papillae.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
On or under rounded basalt stones; 1–12 m.
Food
Like other Melibe, likely captures small crustaceans with its oral hood; may gain nutrition from zooxanthellae.