Latest audit record
Conclusion: Polybranchia sp.
Reviewed by Codex identification research on Aug 27, 2026 · 78% reviewer confidence.
Reasoning recorded at review
- Shell-less sacoglossan-like animal whose dorsum is concealed by many overlapping flattened leaf-like cerata
- Cerata have broad, irregular and finely ramified margins rather than cylindrical aeolid cerata
- Cryptic translucent tan-grey colour with dense pale flecking
- Overall low, leaf-litter-like Polybranchia body form
Alternatives considered
- Cyerce sp.
Why plausible: Cyerce also bears flattened leaf-like cerata and can be cryptic
Comparison: A sharper dorsal view should show whether cerata are in marginal rows around an exposed dorsum, rather than the densely overlapping Polybranchia arrangement suggested here
- Caliphylla sp.
Why plausible: Another caliphyllid with foliose cerata
Comparison: Head, rhinophores, ceratal insertion and internal characters are not sufficiently resolved in this photograph
- Polybranchia orientalis
Why plausible: The available named Indo-West Pacific Polybranchia and a plausible traditional field label
Comparison: The 2019 integrative revision found seven sampled species and warns that only one lineage can take the name P. orientalis; this frame cannot establish that lineage
Evidence limits & sources +−
- • The image is soft and does not clearly resolve the head, rhinophores or ceratal insertions
- • No detached cerata, internal anatomy, specimen measurements or DNA
