Plakobranchus papua
Papua New Guinea - PNG · Pacific Ocen - Bismarck Sea
- Size
- 15–41 mm
- Depth
- 1–10 m
- Native range
- Western Pacific: West Papua and Raja Ampat (Indonesia), with reports from the Philippines and Papua New Guinea.
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Description
A sacoglossan described in 2016 from West Papua, one of several lineages formerly lumped under Plakobranchus ocellatus and separated on DNA and external colour pattern. Like its relatives it stores green chloroplasts in ridges under its parapodia.
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Identification
Elongate, flattened body with wide parapodia folded over the back. Ground colour intense ochre, with yellow-ringed white spots that are largest towards the front. Long, rolled, black rhinophores with purplish tips; short yellow dashes along the parapodial edge; tail black.
Similar species
Plakobranchus ocellatus is usually cream, pale brown or green with pale spots and lacks the black rhinophores and yellow marginal dashes.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Seagrass beds and sandy patches on coral reefs, 1–10 m.
Food
Like other Plakobranchus, green algae, whose chloroplasts it retains.
