Petalifera ramosa

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Aplysiida
Family: Aplysiidae
Genus: Petalifera
Species: Petalifera ramosa

Petalifera ramosa is a small sea hare in the family Aplysiidae. Unlike the bulky Aplysia sea hares, Petalifera have a flat, leaf-like body that hugs the surface they crawl on.

This one is green with yellow ring-shaped spots, and its back carries small branching papillae, which is where the name ramosa (branched) comes from. The colour and texture let it vanish against the algae and seagrass it lives on.

Like other sea hares it is a herbivore, grazing on algae. It is easy to swim right past, so slow down over algae-covered rubble and seagrass and look for a flat patch that moves.

For photographers, a low angle and soft side lighting help show its flat outline and the texture of its back against the background.

It appears on page 298 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.

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