Phyllidiopsis dautzenbergi
(Vayssière, 1911)
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Family: Phyllidiidae
DISTRIBUTION
Known only from the Red Sea.
PHOTO
10-15 m depth, Red Sea, 1983, dorsal view of 19 mm specimen, Photo: N. Yonow. (Brunckhorst, 1993: Plate 7G).
RELATED TOPIC
Notes compiled from Brunckhorst, 1993:
Phyllidiopsis dautzenbergi is the only member of its genus with large, white semicircles around the margin and a median, longitudinal white area (which may be interrupted). Notal tubercles are small and rounded. Notal spicules are long. Other characteristic features include the white pointed rhinophores, white ventral coloration and pale (white) viscera.
Three other Phyllidiopsis species have black and white coloration. Phyllidiopsis striata differs in having three, low, white dorsal ridges, a white mantle rim and lemon yellow rhinophores. Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis has two, low, white ridges, black spots on the white margin, white rhinophores and black spots on the side of the foot. Phyllidiopsis loricata (Bergh) has a white notum with many small tubercles and dark brown to black spots.
Reference:
• Brunckhorst, D.J. (1993) The systematics and phylogeny of Phyllidiid Nudibranchs (Doridoidea). Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 16: 1-107.
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (January 14) Phyllidiopsis dautzenbergi (Vayssière, 1911). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/phyldaut
