Marine Life / Nudibranchs

Noumeaella rehderi

kingdom

Animalia

phylum

Mollusca

class

Gastropoda

order

Nudibranchia

family

Facelinidae

genus

Noumeaella

species

Noumeaella rehderi

Noumeaella rehderi is a tiny aeolid nudibranch in the family Facelinidae. It is white, with crowded, curling cerata covering its back. The head can be difficult to distinguish among these projections, so take time to locate the rhinophores before photographing it.

Many facelinids feed on hydroids, but that family-level pattern does not establish the exact prey of this individual. Cerata contribute to gas exchange and are delicate parts of the body, not loose threads or pieces of debris.

For divers in the Philippines, a clear record of a pale aeolid is more useful than a quick colour-based guess. Compare the head, body outline and ceratal arrangement with the book after the dive.

Use a macro lens and avoid overexposing the white surfaces. A low side view can separate the head from the cerata. Leave the animal and its resting surface untouched throughout the encounter.

It appears on page 251 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.

Get our entire Nudibranchs of the Philippines book.