Leather-Backed Platydoris

Platydoris angustipes

Leather-backed Platydoris is a distinctive sea slug characterized by its oval body, which can reach a maximum length of 150 mm. The mantle is rigid and flattened, adorned with caryophyllidia. Its coloration varies from reddish brown to red or orange, often featuring scattered white specks that are typically clustered in groups of three to four. The mantle margin may appear darker or lighter than the rest of the body, with a higher density of white patches. The rhinophores are dark brown with a cylindrical apex, while the gill is translucent straw-colored, often marked with opaque white spots. This species is found in a range of environments from the water surface to depths of 73 m, primarily in the Western Atlantic region. Its distribution includes areas from Florida to Panama, as well as various Caribbean islands and parts of Brazil. Leather-backed Platydoris often inhabits rocky substrates, where it can be found under rocks in places like Panama. As a hermaphrodite, this nudibranch engages in unique mating behaviors, where individuals dart their penises toward each other to establish dominance in their roles as male and female. Eggs are laid on substrates, developing into planktonic larvae before maturing into adults. Encounters with this species during dives can be intriguing, as divers may observe its slow movements and distinctive coloration against the backdrop of rocky reefs or sandy bottoms. The conservation status of Leather-backed Platydoris has not been evaluated.