Ryan Photographic - Myrrhinidae - Aeolid Nudibranchs
Family Myrrhinidae
The family Myrrhinidae is represented by 40 species in four genera. Some of these are "solar-powered" such as the Phyllodesmium longicirrum depicted below. However this species, and other members of the family, also feed on Sarcophyton leather corals. Myrrhinids are widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical oceans.
Phyllodesmium kabiranum Kapira Phyllodesmium
 Puerto Galera, Philippines med res.jpg)
Phyllodesmium kabiranum Kapira Phyllodesmium? Puerto Galera, Philippines
 Puerto Galera, Philippines IMG_7722 med res.jpg)
Phyllodesmium kabiranum Puerto Galera, Philippines IMG_7722
 Puerto Galera, Philippines IMG_7736 med res.jpg)
Phyllodesmium kabiranum, Puerto Galera, Philippines IMG_7736. There are two in this photo.
Phyllodesmium longicirrum Solar-powered Phyllodesmium
Phyllodesmium longicirrum Solar-powered phyllodesmium, Magic Bay, Rao, Halmahera, Indonesia P7043523
Phyllodesmium longicirrum Solar-powered Phyllodesmium, Magic Bay, Rao, Halmahera, Indonesia P7043530
Phyllodesmium longicirrum Solar-powered Phyllodesmium, Magic Bay, Rao, Halmahera, Indonesia P7043532. Detail of zooxanthellae storage areas (brown)
Click below for a video of this wondrous animal.