This melibe is like no other nudibranch (sea slug). 4-6 pairs of flat paddle shaped cerata run along its dorsum in two rows. 15 May 2008 The Slug Site. When the ventral surface of the hood contacts a small animal, the hood rapidly closes and the fringing tentacles overlap, holding … Often called “lion’s mane” or “hooded” nudibranchs, they’re frequently spotted in large congregations called bouquets. The oral hood is typically over 51mm wide. The … 531-532.Various. Predators may include fish, kelp dwelling crabs and sea stars, but when disturbed Behrens, Dave. "Melibe Leonina." To feed, a melibe firmly attaches itself to a kelp blade and then sweeps its raised hood downward or to the side. Single pair of rhinophore on hood are rounded and earlike. Melibe leonina est un nudibranche de la famille des tethydidés. Water is pushed from the hood once contact has been made with the substratum, and prey is forced towards the mouth.There have been very few observations of predation on Adults feed by pulling back their oral hood until it is almost perpendicular to the body, and then thrust it forward until contact is made with a prey organism. This species occurs in the eastern Pacific Ocean from While most nudibranchs are predators of sessile benthic organisms, Adults and juveniles display different feeding behaviors, however, they both feed by first attaching their foot firmly to its substratum. As they move their body forward, they bring their hood down until it makes contact with the substratum. Oxfordjournals.Org. I’ve noticed that many of them feed in rhythm with kelp blades swaying in … Melibe leonina are carnivorous and hunt for food, while attached to grasses, by extending their oral hood out and downward like a net. "The Sea Slug Forum - Melibe Leonina." It has a large expandable oral hood, fringed with two rows of cirri. This species of Melibe lacks jaws or a radula. Zoology Department & Center for Marine Biology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, and Friday Harbor Laboratory, University of Washington, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250. 15 May 2008 < "Neuroethology of Melibe Leonina Swimming Behavior." The Sea Slug Forum. When food lands on the lower surface of the hood, the melibe sweeps together the two sides of the hood, and its fringing tentacles lock in the prey. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Seashore Creatures. New York: Alfred a Knopf, Inc., 1981. Up to 102 mm long, 25 mm wide and 51 mm across expanded oral hoodWest coast of North America from Alaska to Baja CaliforniaFound on eel grass and other seaweeds near low tide and below and in kelp beds in deeper water.Body is translucent and usually colorless to pale yellow or green with opaque brown hepatic diverticula. 2001. Large expandable oral hood, fringed with sensory tentacles, which it opens and throws forward to catch food. Melibe leonina are fascinating nudibranchs and sought-after by many underwater photographers. Instead of a rasping tongue, it sports a unique oral hood that captures small planktonic animals. Sept. 1999. The body of M. leonina is translucent and is usually colorless to pale yellow or green. Once prey has been contacted, the hood closes and the rows of cirri interlock to prevent escape.Juveniles start with their hood nearly parallel to their substratum. 15 May 2008