Oriental Polybranchia
Polybranchia orientalis
Polybranchia orientalis, which was previously know as Phyllobranchus or Phyllobranchillus orientalis is a relatively common member of the Caliphyllidae in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. Members of the family have the back covered in leaf-like cerata, which in Polybranchia and Caliphylla contain fine branching digestive gland ducts, but in the related genus Cyerce the digestive gland reaches only into the basal ceratal stalk. The cerata produce sticky secretions from the skin, and in some species, as for this species, distasteful milky secretions as well, from glands along the edge of the cerata.
Morphology
The main external difference between Polybranchia and Cyerce, is that in Cyerce the sole of the foot has a transverse groove behind the head which is absent in Polybranchia
Evolution
Little is known about the relationship of this species to other members of the genus.
Behaviour
Species in this genus can cast off their cerata when disturbed in a defensive strategy called autotomy. New cerata are regrown in a few days.
Method of reproduction
Sexual, hermaphrodites
Habitat
Marine
Distribution
This is a widespread Indo-west Pacific species. In Australia, it is known from approximately the Dampier, Western Australia to New South Wales.
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Plakobranchacea |
| Superfamily: | Limapontioidea |
| Family: | Caliphyllidae |
| Genus: | Polybranchia |
| Species: | orientalis |
| Name Published Year: | 1858 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Kelaart |
| Commercial Impact: | None |
| Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/polybranchia-orientalis
Accessed 26 Aug 2025
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