UNKNOWN OKINAWAN
OPISTHOBRANCH
Phyllodesmium sp. 9 (31mm)
Unknown Okinawan Opisthobranch Data
Taxonomy:
- Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
- Suborder: Aeolidacea
- Family: Facelinidae
Frequency on Okinawa:
Collection Data:
- Individual Collection No: RFB #2492-B
- Location: Onna Flats, 1.5km WSW Onna Village, Okinawa (26o29.2'N, 127o50.4'E)
- Date: 15 March, 1991 [2 individuals collected at the same time and place]
- Depth: 3ft (0.9m) [both collected individuals from 3ft]
- Size: TL 31mm [27mm, 31mm]
- Water temperature at collection depth: Unrecorded
- Specimen deposited: California Academy of Sciences
[brackets indicate range for all Okinawa-collected specimens of the species]
Species Account:
Phyllodesmium sp. 9 is considered to be very rare on Okinawa as I have seen and collected a total of only two of these beautiful aeolids. Both individuals were collected at the same time while snorkeling in the inter-connected series of shallow water
caves at Onna Flats. These caves usually flood during high tide conditions and frequently are flushed during harsh water conditions. The animals were found in three feet of water, crawling amid dense colonies of red algae.
Page Date: 24 Feb '97
Page Modification Date: 24 Feb '97
Digitally manipulated photo
Copyright © 1997 Robert F. Bolland
