Phyllidia haegeli is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Description & Characteristics
Phyllidia haegeli is a relatively large nudibranch, typically reaching a maximum size of around 80 millimeters in length. Its body is generally oval-shaped and flattened, with a distinctive dorsal surface covered in numerous, small, tubercular projections called “papillae.” These papillae give the slug a rough, textured appearance. The animal’s coloration can vary, but it is often a striking combination of bright yellow, orange, and red, with contrasting black spots or blotches.
Like many nudibranchs, Phyllidia haegeli lacks an external shell. Instead, it relies on its colorful, often cryptic coloration for camouflage and defense. Its body is also covered in a layer of mucus that helps to protect it from predators and parasites.
Habitat and Occurrence
Phyllidia haegeli is a common species in the Indo-Pacific region. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including coral reefs, rocky shores, and seagrass beds. The species is known to occur in both shallow and deeper waters, with a typical depth range of 1 to 30 meters. The majority of Phyllidia haegeli sightings occur in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, where it is found in various marine zones, including the neritic zone (the area of the ocean extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf) and the oceanic zone (the vast open ocean beyond the neritic zone).
Taxonomy
Phyllidia haegeli is classified within the phylum Mollusca, belonging to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Phyllidiidae. This family, Phyllidiidae, encompasses a diverse group of dorid nudibranchs, characterized by their distinctive flattened body forms, often brightly colored bodies, and lack of external shells.
Feeding
Phyllidia haegeli is a carnivorous species, primarily feeding on sponges. It utilizes its radula, a ribbon-like structure in its mouth, to scrape off and ingest sponge tissue. The slug’s bright coloration may serve as a warning to potential predators, indicating its unpalatability due to the toxins acquired from its sponge diet.
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