Phyllidiopsis? sp. 1 colour variation

May 27, 2009
From: Valda Fraser

Dear Bill

Glad that the site is up and running again!
I see that this Phyllidiopsis sp. 1 is variable in colour. Perhaps it would be best to add another image to the page.

Locality: Pumula, KwaZulu-Natal, 45m, South Africa, Indian, 20 March 2009, Low profile reef. Length: 15mm. Photographer: Valda Fraser.

Best wishes
Valda

valdafraser@mweb.co.za

Fraser, V.J., 2009 (May 27) Phyllidiopsis? sp. 1 colour variation. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22467

Dear Valda,

Thanks for this valuable addition which makes me wonder whether Phyllidiopsis sp. 1 is really a species of Phyllidiopsis at all. Certainly it has similarities with Phyllidiopsis sphingis which has similar markings and 3 ridges - see arrows], but it also looks quite like an animal I tentatively identified as Phyllidia koehleri  [see message #22264]. Both P. koehleri and Phyllidia polkadotsa are species of Phyllidia with longitudinal ridges and yellow in the colour pattern. Certainly this is another species? form? which needs to be looked at internally so we can determine what genus it really belongs to.

These photos are another example of a phyllidiid feeding on an orange-red sponge.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (May 27). Comment on Phyllidiopsis? sp. 1 colour variation by Valda Fraser. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22467

Factsheet

Phyllidiopsis? sp. 1.

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