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Melibe viridis
Image courtesy of Gordon TillenDauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines
Copyright 2010 Gordon Tillen
Melibe viridis (Kelaart, 1853)
This is the largest member of the family Tethydidae. Resembling a mass of algae, it may reach 25 cm or about 10 inches in size. The cerata are large and covered with rounded tubercles. The oral hood, used to capture prey is quite rounded. On this dive Gordon found four huge specimens (est.10.5" ) mating. He was fortunate to document the long spiral egg ribbon as well. Good show. In a second shot we see an unusual hitchhiker. I wonder if the brittle star knows that it could easily become the slug's prey, if he gets in front of that hood.
This species is recorded from Mozambique, Tanzania, Red Sea, India, Vietnam, Australia, Philippines, Okinawa, Japan and the Mediterranean (where it migrated through the Suez Canal).
Gig Harbor, Washington
Apr.., 2010
Gordon Tillen
I have been diving since 1964. Started in the lakes of Northern Wisconsin. I purchased my first small camera in 2006 on a trip to Fiji and took my first pictures of nudibranchs. I have been on fire with underwater photography ever since. My interest in nudibranchs has grown exponentially as well. Currently I'm retired and living and diving daily in Dauin, Philippines. My Camera system consists is comprised as follows; Nikon D300, Sea & Sea MDX300 housing, 2 Sea & Sea YS-Pro250 strobes, Nikon 105 mm macro lens. Send Gordon email at gtillen@mac.com
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