2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Phyllodesmium rudmani
Mimic nudibranch
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 20–45 mm
- Depth
- 1–12 m
- Native range
- Western Pacific: the Philippines (type locality Batangas) and northern Indonesia.
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Description
A solar-powered aeolid and remarkable mimic of Xenia soft corals, usually found singly, burrowed into the base of a colony with only its cerata showing among the polyps. Its zooxanthellae, kept in terminal sacs at the ceratal tips, remain photosynthetically active for over three weeks without food.
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Identification
Body, rhinophores and oral tentacles translucent white. Each ceras has a smooth cylindrical trunk and a swollen tip with white longitudinal ridges and green or brown grooves, resembling a closed Xenia polyp. Rhinophores wrinkled, longer than the oral tentacles.
Similar species
Phyllodesmium jakobsenae, also living in Xenia, has flattened, arrowhead-shaped ceratal tips with brown lateral stripes rather than swollen, ridged tips.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Coral reefs, burrowed into Xenia colonies; recorded from 1 to about 12 m.
Food
Soft corals of the genus Xenia (Xeniidae).