Solar powered nudibranchs feed in highly unusual way

The solar powered nudibranch (Phyllodesmium longicirrum) is the largest sea slug in the ocean. The large surface area allows it to make use of a feeding technique that is unusual for animals, although most plants use this technique with ease. The solar powered sea slug anchors in light rich areas and waves its appendages to capture energy from the sun. It cannot do this without help though.
Inside the sea slug lives an organism, that performs the photosynthesis using chlorophyll. These little guests are zooxanthellae, single celled organisms that create the yellowish brown colour that we see on the sea slug's exterior. The zooxanthellae are an algae that receive carbon dioxide and the benefit of being positioned well for sun exposure. They would never be so mobile on their own. They also thrive, producing far more food than they need for themselves. The host, the slug in this case, receives energy from the zooxanthellae. The end product is sugar, which powers the sea slug. It's one of the rare cases of true symbiosis in nature. The solar powered sea slug could be mistaken for a plant due to its appearance and the very slow movement. The solar powered sea slug also feeds to a lesser extent on soft corals. This is the manner in which they collect and store the algae. They are able to absorb it intact from the surface of the corals as they feed. Because the algae breed and multiply within the sea slug, it is actually a form of farming. Their large surface areas that are spread out, then function akin to solar panels, benefiting both creatures.
The wonders of nature are limitless. Scuba divers are able to witness animals and plants that are unlike anything that we see on the surface. This one was filmed in Indonesia, near Komodo Island.