Batwing Slug - Sagaminopteron ornatum

This spectacular Sagaminopteron ornatum, is also known as the "Batwing Slug" because of its greatly enlarged wing-like parapodia. It was first found in Sagami Bay, Japan which gives rise to its name Sagaminopteron. One of the most fascinating features of the gastropterids is their swimming behaviour. The genus name Gastropteron can be loosely translated as "winged stomach", which is quite apt. Like most opisthobranchs, they are normally benthic crawlers, but when disturbed they can vigorously flap their greatly enlarged parapodia and remain suspended in the water column for some minutes.
They are very tiny in size, less than 5mm and although they are brightly coloured in purple and yellow, it is very difficult to find and see them.

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I would not have guessed they are only 5mm in size ,that makes your capture even more impressive! Posted 9 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, that is the thing with super-macro photography.
  
  And there is actually another much smaller Nudibranch in the picture which I failed to noticed when I took the picture. In the middle at the bottom of the picture, you can see 2 appendage like thing, that is actually the cerata of another species of Nudibranch - Eubranchus sp.
  
  So you can try to imagine the Purple Batwing Slug was 5mm, the Eubranchus Nudibranch was just around 1 mm! Posted 9 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I know how hard macro photography is on land, can't imagine how difficult it must be on the ocean floor. Respect! Posted 9 years ago
  2. 1. Albert Kang
      
      Lion
      
      This is a cropped picture to show better the animal.
      And yes, underwater macro-photography can be challenging, especially using point-and-shoot camera for the super tiny stuffs. Posted 9 years ago