Selection: Phyllodesmium serratum

Phyllodesmium serratum Rudman, 1981

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Phyllodesmium serratum is feeding on a wide variety of octocorals. Its colour is dependent on the colour of the food it is eating, so this species is highly variable in colour except for the white median dorsal line. The digestive gland ducts are branched. Many other members of the genus Phyllodesmium are what Bill Rudman calls "Solar-powered Sea Slugs", Phyllodesmium serratum is not one of them.
Pretty similar is Phyllodesmium poindimiei which differs by white spots on the body and on the cerata and lack the white median line.
The above specimen was identified by Dave Behrens, it lacks the white median line, I think it is Phyllodesmium poindimiei.
More information on Phyllodesmium serratum are on Bill Rudman's Sea-Slug Forum!
How to cite:
Köhler, E. (2016), published 29 December 2016, Phyllodesmium serratum Rudman, 1981
available from https://www.Philippine-Sea-Slugs.com/Nudibranchia/Cladobranchia/Phyllodesmium_serratum.htm