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Project Noah Nature School
Phyllodesmium briareum
Speckled brown with long curved cerata that are yellow-tipped. The brownish specks (as can be seen in the close-up in picture 2) are actually one-celled plants (zooxanthellae) in the digestive gland. A symbiotic relationship exists between the two - the aeolid serves as a host for the zooxanthellae to reproduce and grow, while they provide nutrients to the host through photosynthesis.
About 50 mm. Depth of about 2 m. Batangas, Philippines.
Spotted on Apr 29, 2012
Submitted on Aug 20, 2012
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