Lembeh — 25 August 2026
- Location seen
- Lembeh, Indonesia
- Date seen
- 2026-08-25
Phyllodesmium rudmani
Phyllodesmium rudmani - the rhinophores are visible in this image© Di Syrett / MacroDivers.com
About this species
- Current scientific name
- Phyllodesmium rudmani
- Order
- Nudibranchia - Cladobranchia
- Type
- Aeolidina (Aeolid)
- ID confidence
- Confirmed
- Genus
- Phyllodesmium
- Species
- rudmani
- Average size
- 50 mm
- Colours
- brown, cream
- Body shape
- With Appendages
- Rhinophores
- Smooth
- Gills
- Cerata
Geographic Distribution
Indonesia (North Sulawesi including Lembeh Strait) and the Philippines (Anilao).
Identification
A nudibranch that looks almost identical to the soft coral that it eats. The body is pale brown and cream and he cerata mimic the closed coral polyps. The long rhinophores are plain cream and have small ridges across them.
Behaviour / Habitat
The cerata look like the closed polyps of the Xenia so if the coral is feeding, a section that is not opening and closing may be a P. rudmani. The other feature to look for is the rhinophores.
General Notes
Phyllodesmium rudmani does not have any previous names because it was only recognised and named in 2006. The name is in honour of Dr Bill Rudman a pioneer in the study of Phyllodesmium.
Our Sighting
About our records
All sightings and photographs on this page are from our own dives. Locations shown are places where we have personally recorded this species. About MacroDivers.