Phyllodesmium pinnatum E. Moore & Gosliner, 2009

Description

Ground colour is translucent white covered by minute white speckles. Cerata are beige, long and pinnate with marginal projections, mimicking the host soft coral. Rhinophores are smooth and elongate, translucent with white markings. Reaches 30 mm.

Distribution

Philippines.

Etymology

The specific epithet pinnatum is Latin for "feather-like".

Remarks

Described in a 2009 revision in their treatment of solar-powered Phyllodesmium. The species harbours symbiotic zooxanthellae and is an exceptionally close visual mimic of its octocoral host.

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