2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Murphydoris maracabranchia
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 3–5 mm
- Depth
- 0–14 m
- Native range
- Western Pacific: Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Back to genus MurphydorisBack to the galleryAdd a comment
Description
A tiny, cryptic goniodoridid described in 2022 in the first phylogenetic revision of the overlooked genus Murphydoris; it was previously known in field guides as Goniodoridella sp. 4. The name combines 'maraca' and 'branchia' (gill), after the shape of its gill.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/murphydoris-maracabranchia-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Uniformly opaque white body 3–5 mm long, including the lateral processes. Rhinophore tips red or orange, with a fine brown line behind each rhinophore. Like other Murphydoris, it lacks a typical feathery gill and has smooth (non-lamellate) rhinophores.
Similar species
Small white Goniodoridella species have yellow markings and a gill of simple branches; other Murphydoris species differ in colour details and gill form.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Coral rubble from the intertidal to about 14 m.
Food
Not documented.