Sagaminopteron psychedelicum
Psychedelic batwing
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 5–12 mm · max 20 mm
- Native range
- Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Japan, Guam (type locality), Fiji and Hawaii.
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Description
A small, brilliantly coloured headshield slug (Gastropteridae) named for its 'psychedelic' pattern. It lives on Dysidea sponges and, compared with Sagaminopteron ornatum, is a less active swimmer.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/sagaminopteron-psychedelicum-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Pale green ground colour covered with pink (sometimes orange or golden) round spots outlined in black. The parapodia are edged with a broad pink band separated from the body by a thin black line; the head shield has a reddish-tipped crest. A short flagellum is often visible on the right side.
Similar species
Sagaminopteron ornatum has a different colour pattern and is a more active swimmer.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Coral reefs, reef flats and under rubble, on Dysidea sponges.
Food
Sponges of the genus Dysidea, notably D. granulosa.
