The scientific name of this species is Melibe colemani, and it's regarded as one of the most elusive nudibranchs in the world. It's commonly known as the phantom nudibranch (or ghost nudibranch) because its body is largely transparent. The sea slug's digestive glands are clearly visible, making it look like a mass of tangled yarn.
This species actively hunts smaller molluscs and crustaceans, using an expandable oral hood to capture and ingest its prey. The head is also equipped with a pair of rhinophores, which are chemosensory organs that resemble eyestalks or "bunny ears;" the rhinophores can detect chemicals in the surrounding environment, allowing the nudibranch to find prey and locate other members of the same species.
Phantom nudibranchs can measure up to 5cm long. They're typically found on the coral reefs that surround the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
It looks kind of terrifying when they open their mouths to feed, tbh. This photo shows a phantom nudibranch with its mouth stretched open. It just wraps the oral hood around its prey and gulps it down whole.
No, those are rhinophores, which are chemosensory organs that allow them to "smell/taste" various chemicals in the water. They use the rhinophores to locate their prey and to find other phantom nudibranchs.
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The scientific name of this species is Melibe colemani, and it's regarded as one of the most elusive nudibranchs in the world. It's commonly known as the phantom nudibranch (or ghost nudibranch) because its body is largely transparent. The sea slug's digestive glands are clearly visible, making it look like a mass of tangled yarn.
This species actively hunts smaller molluscs and crustaceans, using an expandable oral hood to capture and ingest its prey. The head is also equipped with a pair of rhinophores, which are chemosensory organs that resemble eyestalks or "bunny ears;" the rhinophores can detect chemicals in the surrounding environment, allowing the nudibranch to find prey and locate other members of the same species.
Phantom nudibranchs can measure up to 5cm long. They're typically found on the coral reefs that surround the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
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that is just freaking insane! My vivid imagination is watching them catch and digest something and being able to watch it from end to end... 😯
It looks kind of terrifying when they open their mouths to feed, tbh. This photo shows a phantom nudibranch with its mouth stretched open. It just wraps the oral hood around its prey and gulps it down whole.
wow!!
Are those eye stalks above the mouth?
No, those are rhinophores, which are chemosensory organs that allow them to "smell/taste" various chemicals in the water. They use the rhinophores to locate their prey and to find other phantom nudibranchs.
The older the get, the more I’m astounded and amazed at our world. Breathtaking.
The devs really just be patching in crazy new animals behind our backs and pretending like they were always there and they think we dont notice
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Amazing! Thank you for sharing this, OP!
Holy moly! Is that a creature? It looks like a tree or coral