Re: Phyllidiella meandrina from Indian Ocean [1]

Dear Hugues,
I have tried to explain the differences between these species on the P. meandrina Fact Sheet, but there is a possibility that they may not all be good species. The phyllidiids are particularly difficult because they do not have radular teeth. In other groups of nudibranchs we can often distinguish similarly coloured species from one another by finding some internal difference - often in the shape of the radular teeth. If we can link an internal difference with even slight differences in colour pattern, we can then use those colour differences with some confidence. It's not much value to ecologists if they have to dissect every animal they study to know what it is.

Unfortunately with some phyllidiids we are still trying to sort out just what are species and what are colour variants - and the Phyllidiella group contain some of the most problematic 'species'. This is why trying to find animals feeding and laying eggs could be very valuable. They may give us those extra clues we need to decide on what is and what isn't a species.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman