Marine Life / Nudibranchs

Miamira miamirana

kingdom

Animalia

phylum

Mollusca

class

Gastropoda

order

Nudibranchia

family

Chromodorididae

genus

Miamira

species

Miamira miamirana

Miamira miamirana is a dorid nudibranch in the family Chromodorididae. The animal shown here has a reddish-brown body densely covered in branched, spiky tubercles. These projections can obscure the body outline, so locate the rhinophores and rear gills before comparing photographs.

Chromodorids are sponge feeders, with different species selecting different prey. An exact food sponge cannot be identified simply because a slug is resting beside it. The textured mantle is part of the animal, not material attached to its back.

For divers in the Philippines, the book illustrates several varieties of this species. Compare structure as well as colour, and avoid assuming every individual must look identical to this one.

Gentle side lighting can reveal the branching tubercles without flattening their texture. Include the whole animal in one frame and the head in another, keeping the slug and surrounding reef untouched.

It appears on page 167 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.

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