Marcus' Aeolid

Coryphellina marcusorum

Coryphellina marcusorum is a small sea slug characterized by its translucent pink or orange body. Its elongate rhinophores and cerata are tipped with opaque white or sometimes yellow, complemented by a broad purple band beneath. The oral tentacles are longer than the rhinophores, and the species can reach a maximum length of 30 mm. This nudibranch is often confused with other species, particularly the recently described Coryphellina arveloi, due to similar coloration patterns. This species has been recorded in two separate populations: one along the western coast of Central America, extending to the Galapagos Islands, and another in the Caribbean Sea down to Brazil. Coryphellina marcusorum typically inhabits benthic environments at depths ranging from 3 m to 22 m. Feeding primarily on hydroids, this nudibranch exhibits hermaphroditic reproductive behavior, where individuals engage in mating by extending their reproductive organs towards one another. Eggs are deposited on a suitable substrate, developing into planktonic larvae before maturing into adults. Encounters with this species during dives can be intriguing, as divers may spot them resting on hydroids or moving slowly across the substrate. The conservation status of Coryphellina marcusorum has not been evaluated by the IUCN, leaving its population health uncertain.