Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis
Brunckhorst, 1993

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Family: Phyllidiidae

DISTRIBUTION

Known only from southern Thailand (Andaman Sea, north-eastern Indian Ocean).

PHOTO

4-10 m depth, Phi Phi Island, southern Thailand, 25 Nov. 1989, dorsal view of 10 mm specimen on food sponge, Gellius sp. (Brunckhorst, 1993: Plate 8F).

Notes compiled from Brunckhorst, 1993:
Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis has the following distinctive external characteristics: two low, white ridges separated by three furrows lined with black; white mantle margin with black spots; white rhinophores; and white ventral coloration with black spots on the margin of the hyponotum and on the side of the foot.

There are three other, small, longitudinally striped species of Phyllidiopsis. Two of these, Phyllidiopsis annae and Phyllidiopsis sphingis, are easily separated from the present species because they possess blue pigmentation, grey gills and black (P. annae) or pale yellow (P. sphingis) rhinophores. Phyllidiopsis striata is less easily separated. However, P. striata has three low, white ridges and four black bands (two white ridges and three black bands in P. phiphiensis), lemon yellow rhinophores, and grey and black ventral coloration.

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 (August 1) Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis Brunckhorst, 1993. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/phylphip

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