Phyllodesmium horridum explained

Phyllodesmium horridum, the coral nudibranch, is a species of sea slug, specifically an aeolid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.

Distribution

This species is found around the South African coast from False Bay to Sodwana Bay, intertidally to at least 30 m.^[1] It has been erroneously reported from Australia and Japan due to confusion with Phyllodesmium serratum.

Description

Around the South African coast, the coral nudibranch is typically between 30 and 40 mm^[2] in total length. It is a slender pale-bodied aeolid with long paired pinkish cerata. The cerata have a bluish-white stripe running down their length, as does the body. The rhinophores are smooth. This species contains no zooxanthellae.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Gosliner T. M. (1987). Nudibranchs of Southern Africa
2. Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa
3. Rudman W.B. (1991) Further studies on the taxonomy and biology of the octocoral-feeding genus Phyllodesmium Ehrenberg, 1831 (Nudibranchia: Aeolidoidea). Journal of Molluscan Studies 57: 167-203
4. Zsilavecz G. (2007). Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay.
5. Rudman, W.B., 2001 (August 9) Phyllodesmium horridum (Macnae, 1954). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

   Ecology

   Phyllodesmium horridum feeds on sea fans (gorgonians) of the genus Melitodes (family Melithaeidae). It has also been reported to feed on gorgonians of the genus, Acabaria (also family Melithaeidae).^[3] The egg ribbon is a gelatinous mass with many small white eggs.^[4]

   References