Phyllidia scottjohnsoni
Brunckhorst, 1993

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Family: Phyllidiidae

DISTRIBUTION

Known from the central and western Pacific Ocean and as far east as Darwin (Timor Sea).

PHOTO

8 m depth, Kure Atoll, Hawaii, Aug. 1985, dorsal view of 19 mm and 26 mm specimens, Photo: S. Johnson (Brunckhorst, 1993: Plate 4 D).

Notes compiled from Brunckhorst, 1993:
Phyllidia scottjohnsoni can be distinguished by its white background with black spots, small tubercles and cream to white rhinophores. Phyllidia ocellata generally has black rings around its tubercles but it has a gold background colour and gold rhinophores. Phyllidia scottjohnsoni appears to be a small species in comparison to P. ocellata, Phyllidia tula , Phyllidia varicosa and Phyllidia elegans.Phyllidiopsis loricata (Bergh) is superficially similar to Phyllidia scottjohnsoni, however the former species is more elongate and it lacks black spots in the mid-dorsal region. Phyllidia scottjohnsoni has fewer (7-9) lamellae on the rhinophoral clavus than Phyllidiopsis loricata (16-19 fine lamellae). Phyllidia scottjohnsoni is flattened dorsoventrally to a greater extent than most other Phyllidia species.

Reference:
• Brunckhorst, D.J. (1993) The systematics and phylogeny of Phyllidiid Nudibranchs (Doridoidea). Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 16: 1-107.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (January 12) Phyllidia scottjohnsoni Brunckhorst, 1993. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/phylscot

Related messages

  1. Phyllidia scottjohnsoni from Hawaii
    From: Keoki Stender, September 24, 2003
  2. Phyllidia scottjohnsoni from Hachijo Island, Japan
    From: Rie Nakano , October 24, 2001

Show factsheet and all related messages