Cyerce kikutarobabai

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Sacoglossa
Family: Caliphyllidae
Genus: Cyerce
Species: Cyerce kikutarobabai

Cyerce kikutarobabai is a sacoglossan, or sap-sucking sea slug, related to Cyerce elegans. It is named after the Japanese sea slug expert Kikutaro Baba.

Its flattened, leaf-like cerata are white to pale pink and rimmed with red spots, and its rhinophores are pinkish-purple. Like other Cyerce it feeds on algae and can drop its cerata when disturbed.

Cyerce are often found under rocks and in rubble, and many are more active at night. Search slowly and check the undersides of rocks, then put them back the way you found them.

The red-spotted cerata make a great macro subject, so try shooting side-on to show off their shape.

It appears on page 327 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.

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