Polycera sp. 3
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Class
- Gastropoda
- Order
- Nudibranchia
- Family
- Polyceridae
- Genus
- Polycera
- Species
- Polycera sp. 3
Polycera sp. 3 is a small nudibranch in the family Polyceridae. It has not yet been formally described, so it has no species name. It is one of several undescribed Polycera featured in Nudibranchs of the Philippines.
It has a white body marked with black spots, and orange finger-like processes tipped in black. These processes run along the front of the head and beside the gills, giving it a spiky outline that sets Polycera apart from many other dorids.
Polycera species generally feed on bryozoans, the tiny colonial animals that form crusts and lacy growths on rocks and algae.
Polycera are not common sightings, so this one is a real find on a Philippine dive. It is small, so use a macro lens and get low enough to separate the orange processes against the background. Shoot from the side to show the head processes and gills together.
It appears on page 33 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.
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Where to find it
Location:
- Dauin, Negros Oriental
Dive with: