Phyllodesmium magnum (Phyllodesmium magnum)

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. Cebu,Geotagged,Malapascua,Nudibranch,Philippines,Phyllodesmium magnum,Spring

Appearance

This species grows to 130 mm in length. It is one of the ''Phyllodesmium'' species which contain zooxanthellae.

Distribution

This species was described from New Caledonia with additional material from NW Australia, the Marshall Islands and Hong Kong. The distribution of ''Phyllodesmium magnum'' includes North Kermadec and Guam.Rudman, W.B., 1999 [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

Habitat

''Phyllodesmium magnum'' feeds on a soft coral ''Sinularia'' sp.

References:

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Taxonomy
Kingdom	Animalia
Division	Mollusca
Class	Gastropoda
Order	Nudibranchia
Family	Myrrhinidae
Genus	Phyllodesmium
Species	P. magnum

Photographed in
Philippines