Identification and Appearance Phyllodesmium poindimiei is a slender, elongate aeolid nudibranch. Its body is translucent to pale white. The cerata are cylindrical and smooth, with tips that curve gently inward. Rows of these cerata run along both sides of the dorsum. One of the most striking features is the blue iridescence on the cerata and […]
The Tree-Like Solar Nudibranch Phyllodesmium pinnatum (Moore & Gosliner, 2009) is one of the most cryptic solar-powered nudibranchs at our macro dive sites in Romblon, Philippines. Its cerata are elongate, flattened and pinnate — branching like tiny trees. This structure matches octocoral colonies almost perfectly. As a result, it is nearly invisible on its prey.
The Nephtheid Specialist Phyllodesmium koehleri (Burghardt, Schrödl & Wägele, 2008) stands apart from every other solar-powered nudibranch at our macro dive sites in Romblon, Philippines. While its relatives feed on Xenia or Sarcophyton coral, this species feeds exclusively on Nephtheidae soft corals — primarily Paralemnalia and Lemnalia. Furthermore, its spoon-like spiny cerata are completely unique
The Xenia Mimic Phyllodesmium jakobsenae (Burghardt & Wägele, 2004) is one of the most convincingly camouflaged nudibranchs at our macro dive sites in Romblon, Philippines. It feeds exclusively on Xenia soft coral and mimics it almost perfectly. Its cerata match the shape and colour of Xenia polyps. As a result, it is nearly invisible on
A Newly Described Species Cyerce katiae (Moreno, Gosliner, Wilson, Krug & Valdés, 2025) is one of the rarest butterfly sea slugs at our macro dive sites in Romblon, Philippines. Divers previously called it Cyerce sp. 4 or Cyerce sp. 4 (NSSI2). Scientists formally described it in 2025 as part of a major revision of the
The Largest Solar-Powered Nudibranch Phyllodesmium longicirrum (Bergh, 1905) is the largest aeolid nudibranch in the Indo-Pacific. It grows up to 140 mm. Divers call it the Solar-Powered Nudibranch. It belongs to the order Nudibranchia, suborder Aeolidina, family Myrrhinidae. Furthermore, zooxanthellae live inside its cerata. These algae photosynthesise sunlight and produce energy directly for the animal.
