Phyllidia polkadotsa from Vanuatu
November 20, 1999
From: Vinka Stenhouse
Dear Bill,
I have just got back from Australia where I had a chance to look at the Sea Slug Forum and I must say the photo of Hypselodoris flavomarginata came up very well. I have sent a few other slides that may be of interest and a few I would like to have identified if possible please.
This one is from 17 metre depth in a current prone reef slope, Espiritu Santo Is., Vanuatu, 1998. It was 6mm long.
Yours sincerely,
Vinka Stenhouse.
Santo.
Vanuatu.
Dear Vinka,
This is Phyllidia polkadotsa, which obviously got its name from its colour pattern. By coincidence, I have recently been sent photos of a similarly coloured animal with black stripes rather than spots, from the Maldives.
When it was described in 1993, Phyllidia polkadotsa was only known from Hawaii. I don't know if it is a fairly rare species or whether it is just hard to see or lives in crevices or difficult to see places.
I will put your other photos on the website over the next few weeks.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.
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