Phyllodesmium magnum Nudibranch

This Phyllodesmium magnum Nudibranch has translucent cerrata and feeds on soft corals. They also have Zooxanthellae inside them which is capable of photosynthesis and this provides sometimes up to 90% of their Nudibranch host's energy needs for metabolism, growth and reproduction. In return, they receive nutrients, carbon dioxide, and an elevated position with access to sunshine.

Zooxanthellae are photosynthetic organisms, which contain chlorophyll a and chlorophyll c, as well as the dinoflagellate pigments peridinin and diadinoxanthin. These provide the yellowish and brownish colours typical of many of the host species. During the day, they provide their host with the organic carbon products of photosynthesis, sometimes providing up to 90% of their host's energy needs for metabolism, growth and reproduction. In return, they receive nutrients, carbon dioxide, and an elevated position with access to sunshine.

comments (4)

Barry

Lion

Hey Albert, seriously, your sea slug images are amazing! Have you tried contacting a museum - I would think that any Natural History museum would be thrilled to have an exhibition of your sea slugs! Posted 8 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, Barry for your kind words and encouragement.
  No, I did not tried to contact any museums or anything of that sort. I am just taking pics of wild life as a pass time, for fun and to share with friends and have no plans to take it any further.
  Underwater macro photography is a serious business and there are many serious underwater photographers with much more amazing pictures. There is also a Dive Resort in Anilao, Philippines, where I dives regularly who conducts yearly Nudibranch workshop and in the period of 10-14 days, they can document 300-400 species of Nudibranch in Anilao! And they have very nice pictures of them too especially with their big camera set-ups (dSLRs), special lenses and gears to capture amazing footages of super tiny Nudibranchs (sizes of 2-5 mm)! Posted 8 years ago
2. 1. Barry
    
    Lion
    
    Well Albert, you should at least get paid by the Phillipine tourist board, you make me want to board the next flight! I assume that pictures like these of nudibrnaches require Scuba diving? I would need to get my licence for that, unfortunately, as I started once but then had to break it off before I completed it. At least I can enjoy your photos until then :-) Posted 8 years ago
  2. 1. Albert Kang
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks again, Barry for your kind words :)
      Actually, the Scuba Diving division of Philippines Tourism are very active in promoting dive tourism in Philippines and they participates in many dive exhibition all over the world.
      It is actually possible to see some Nudibranch, Seahares and Sea Slugs in the shallow waters or tidal pool. One amazing Nudibranch/Sea Slug - Glaucus atlanticus is more likely to be seen at the beach than during a dive. They are pelagic Nudibranch and feeds on jellyfishes especially Portuguese man o' war, a very dangerous jellyfish, thus like the jellyfishes, they do gets wash ashore.
      
      Should you ever gets to visit Philippines or Malaysia, I will be happy to help you with the arrangements to get certified as a scuba diver, then you will be able to see for yourself some of the amazing marine life :D
      
      Cheers! Posted 8 years ago