Thuridilla flavomaculata
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Native range
- Western Pacific: Indonesia, the Philippines, Guam, the Marshall Islands and southern Japan.
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Description
A sacoglossan sea slug described by Gosliner in 1995; the name means 'yellow-spotted'. It has the smallest radular teeth in the genus, with 18–21 fine denticles on each tooth.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/thuridilla-flavomaculata-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Green body with scattered opaque white and bright yellow spots; it is the only Thuridilla with numerous yellow spots. Parapodial margins cream. Rhinophores white with black longitudinal lines on the outer part.
Similar species
Thuridilla kathae (its closest relative) and T. carlsoni look similar but lack the scattered yellow spots.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Tropical coral reefs.
Food
Not recorded specifically; like other Thuridilla, it feeds on green algae by sucking cell sap.