About Scyllaea pelagica Linnaeus, 1758
Scyllaea pelagica is a sturdy nudibranch that reaches a length of about 10 centimeters (4 inches). It has a dorso-ventrally flattened body shape. At its anterior end, there are two pairs of sensory tentacles, plus a pair of rhinophores that are enclosed in large rhinophore sheaths. Two pairs of irregular cerata, which are lobes with toothed edges and squared ends, sit on the sides of the body. Numerous small gills are found on the inner surfaces of these cerata. At the posterior end of the body, there is a flattened dorsal crest. The skin is mostly smooth, with the exception of a few conical tubercles. Its coloration is a dull yellowish-brown or greenish-brown, with some small white markings. Occasionally, a row of tiny bright blue spots runs along each side of the body. This species is found globally across pantropical oceans, living among floating masses of weed. It is particularly common in the Caribbean region and the Gulf of Mexico, and it is often washed onto beaches alongside seaweed after storms.
