Plocamopherus ceylonicus (Kelaart, 1858)

These specimens are a pretty good match for some of the Plocamopherus ceylonicus figured on the Sea Slug Forum and appear different from the Plocamopherus cf ceylonicus shown elsewhere on this site. Two specimens have been found, both living in clumps of Halimeda algae on shallow sandy lagoon reefs at Kwajalein. The two specimens measured 17 and 23mm. The second individual was found in the same general area and habitat as numerous specimens of Plocamopherus cf ceylonicus.

As the pictures show, this animal differs from Plocamopherus cf ceylonicus in its mostly orange brown coloration with what is almost a network of white. The balls on the dorso-lateral processes are white instead of purplish-brown, and the balls seem to be present only on the pair of processes posterior to the gills. Although it is not easy to see in the photographs, the sides of the foot are decorated not only with orange spots but also with rather widely spaced brown spots.

This animal swims by laterally bending the body.

Created 3 January 2007
Updated 21 May 2007