Phyllidiopsis from Mooloolaba

July 22, 1998
From: Wayne Ellis

Hi Bill,

Here is another of Steve Grail's photos. It was taken off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, southern Queensland, in 10-20m, between 1996 and 1998.

Regards
Wayne Ellis

glaskin@ozemail.com.au

Ellis, W., 1998 (Jul 22) Phyllidiopsis from Mooloolaba. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/105

This strangely-shaped phyllidiid is often found on the underside of encrusted coral boulders. Its compound tubercles make it unique in the family. The colour and shape are assumed to be for camouflage. It would be interesting to see if this species lacks the defensive chemicals found in most phyllidiids. The only other phyllidiids with tubercles are in the genus Ceratophyllidia but in that case the "tubercles" are attached to the body by short narrow stalks. If you look at Phyllidiopsis shireenae you will see that not all species in Phyllidiopsis have compound tubercles, in fact P. cardinalis is the only one. The only good external character separating species of Phyllidiopsis from other phyllidiids are their fused oral tentacles. In most phyllidiids the oral tentacles are tapering finger-like structures on each side of the mouth. In Phyllidiopsis the two tentacles are fused into a single flap. They only other genus to show any sign of fusion is Ceratophyllidia in which the base of the tentacles are fused.
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 1998 (Jul 22). Comment on Phyllidiopsis from Mooloolaba by Wayne Ellis. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/105

Factsheet

Phyllidiopsis cardinalis

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