Perhentian '07: It's pronounced Noo-dee-brank

I used to think that nudibranches are pronounced with a 'branch' at the end, like the tree. Imagine my embarassment when I found out, while watching a National Geographic special on these colourful seaslugs, that they're pronounced with a 'brank' which rhymes with bank.

Pteraeolidia ianthina (serpent pteraeolidia)

Nudibranches come in all shapes and sizes, and are often multihued to either attract potential mates or to ward off would-be predators.

Phyllidiella pustulosa(?)

Sometimes I find it quite difficult to differentiate between different species of nudibranches because they may look quite similar are oftentimes differentiated by rather obscure features like the colour of their antannae or the type of food they eat etc.

Phyllidia elegans

Even within the same species, there are many variants, very much like different breeds (eg dogs, cats).

Phyllidia coelestis

This one looks almost like the two below but apparently they're of different species, I don't know why.

Pair of Phyllidia varicosa going for a walk after lunch.....

Phyllidia varicosa

Meanwhile this little fella was left all alone.... poor guy.

Flabellina rubrolineata

That's latin for red-lined erm... flabellina. You can't see the red line because it's on its underbelly.

Risbecia tryoni

Pair of Risbecia tryoni playing tag. Thanks Asther for the correction. Appreciate it!

Chromodoris geometrica

This is the first time I've seen this particular critter, and I can proudly say I was the only one in my dive team who spotted it.... hehehe

This is a pair of Phyllidiela pustulosa out for a walk after dinner. How romantic! Hehehe