Marine Life / Nudibranchs

Trapania miltabrancha

kingdom

Animalia

phylum

Mollusca

class

Gastropoda

order

Nudibranchia

family

Goniodorididae

genus

Trapania

species

Trapania miltabrancha

Trapania miltabrancha is a small dorid in the family Goniodorididae. It has orange-brown patches over a pale body, with white-tipped rhinophores, gills and appendages. Paired processes beside the rhinophores and gills are useful features of the genus.

Trapania are often encountered on sponges, where they feed on tiny entoprocts living on the surface. They should not simply be described as eating the sponge itself. Watching an undisturbed animal can reveal more than moving it onto a bare background.

For Philippine divers, a slow examination of sponge surfaces is a useful approach when looking for this sort of small subject. Compare the arrangement of patches and appendages with the book.

Use a macro lens and focus on the head first. A second, wider image should include the gills and full body pattern. Keep your fins and camera housing clear of the sponge.

It appears on page 59 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.

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