Phyllodesmium orientale
Encyclopedia
Phyllodesmium orientale is a species
of small sea slug
, an aolid nudibranch
, a marine
gastropod mollusk in the family Facelinidae
.
, Okinawa, Japan.
so it can be probably its food.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of small sea slug
Slug
Slug is a common name that is normally applied to any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell...
, an aolid nudibranch
Nudibranch
A nudibranch is a member of what is now a taxonomic clade, and what was previously a suborder, of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks which shed their shell after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms...
, a marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
gastropod mollusk in the family Facelinidae
Facelinidae
Facelinidae is a taxonomic family of colorful sea slugs. These are specifically aeolid nudibranchs. They are marine gastropod molluscs.- 2005 taxonomy :...
.
Distribution
The distribution of Phyllodesmium orientale includes Japan. The type locality is IshigakiIshigaki
*Ishigaki Island*Ishigaki, Okinawa*Ishigaki Airport*Japanese escort Ishigaki*Ai Ishigaki , guitarist for The Mad Capsule Markets*Ishigaki Rin...
, Okinawa, Japan.
Ecology
Phyllodesmium orientale has been found on soft coral XeniaXenia (genus)
Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine coral resembling a mushroom, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion...
so it can be probably its food.