Phyllidia carlsonhoffi from Papua New Guinea
September 23, 2005
From: Judy Foester
This definitely shows the fried eggs that gave the nudibranch, Phyllidia varicosa, its common name!
Locality: Reef, Three Island Harbor, Albatross Pass, near New Hanover Island in Papua New Guinea, sandy bottom at this spot. Depth: 20 m [ 60 ft.]. Length: 55 mm. 26 May 2002. Photographer: Judy Foester
Judy Foester
judyfoester@yahoo.com
Foester, J.E., 2005 (Sep 23) Phyllidia carlsonhoffi from Papua New Guinea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14803Dear Judy,
It may have a 'fried egg' pattern, but it is not Phyllidia varicosa. If you are a regular visitor to the Forum you will have noted that I am not a believer in making up common names for sea slugs. I don't know who made up the name 'fried egg nudibranch' for P. varicosa, but it is not a commonly used name, and only in some specimens of P. varicosa could the colour pattern be described as 'fried egg-like'. There are certainly other species of phyllidiid with a much better 'fried egg pattern' such as this species, which is Phyllidia carlsonhoffi, or the very similar looking Phyllidia madangensis.
Phyllidia carlsonhoffi is characterised by the black background to its mantle and the large rounded, yellow-tipped, white tubercles, which are interspersed with small tubercles. It also has a black median line on the sole of the foot. Phyllidia madangensis, in comparison, does not have interspersed small tubercles, lacks a black line on the sole of the foot, and has a small white tubercle just anterior to each rhinophore pocket. It is nice to get a photo of P. carlsonhoffi showing its features so clearly.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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