2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Phanerophthalmus anettae
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 20 mm · max 22 mm
- Depth
- 7–25 m
- Native range
- West to Central Pacific: Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines, Hawaii and French Polynesia
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Description
A slender, purplish haminoeid-group cephalaspidean described in the 2018 revision of Phanerophthalmus. It is externally almost indistinguishable from its sympatric sister species P. purpura and is reliably separated only by DNA.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/phanerophthalmus-anettae-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Elongate, cylindrical body up to 20 mm, translucent light purple to almost reddish. Triangular, notched head shield ending in posterior lobes with white pigment, which in adults is concentrated at the lobe tips. Left parapodial lobe overlaps the right; the thin internal shell is not visible and the eyes are visible. Juveniles are paler.
Similar species
Phanerophthalmus purpura looks practically identical; only DNA separates them with confidence.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Sandy bottoms among rubble and Halimeda beds, subtidal at 7–25 m.
Food
Not documented; like other Phanerophthalmus, probably grazes on algae.