Dear Nishina,
I should have considered Fryeria larryi as a possibility, but just accepted Dave Brunckhorst's identification of your photo. However, I'm afraid its not that simple as you animal has features of both 'species'. The basic problem is that both species were described from single specimens, and in neither case was the anatomy studied. All we know is that in P. zebrina the anus opens on a dorsal papilla while in F. larryi it opens ventrally. I tend to agree that your animal looks more like F. larryi because it doesn't show the rounded tubercles on the mantle of P. zebrina. However it is white like P. zebrina rather than yellow like the sole known specimen of F. larryi. The sole specimen of P. zebrina was 14mm long preserved, and of F. larryi, 6mm long.

I am afraid this is another example of the problems of describing and naming new species from single specimens. I can't even say that the position of the anus is a good character to use in separating these two species because, as we discuss elsewhere on the Forum, there is evidence to suggest that in some species at least, the position of the anus is variable.

All I can suggest is that we leave your animal with Phyllidia zebrina until we get more specimens or photos.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Dear Nishina & Soichi,
Thanks for these interesting photos. I think it is the first record since Baba's original description. Baba's colour description was based on a colour sketch so its possible that the black lines he described were actually brown, as in your animal, rather than black. Or perhaps the colour varies from brown to black. It is of course possible that this brown lined animal is another species. Baba also described the noticeable rounded tubercles all over the mantle in his species. I can't see them in Soichi's photos, but perhaps they are not obvious is smaller animals. I know it will sound greedy, but it would be nice to find some more specimens.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Dear Valda,
This is another wonderful find. The only thing it reminds me of is Phyllidia zebrina which was described from one preserved animal from Japan. I must say if it does turn out to be the same then it much more appropriate having zebrina from Africa than from Japan.

If you look at the photo of the preserved Japanese specimen at the top of the page you will see it has a very similar colour pattern. Also it was described as having low tubercles over the body which you can see clearly in your photo (PHOTO C) and the anus opens on a small papillae which I have arrowed in PHOTO B.

In all main features then it matches Phyllidia zebrina. The problems with this identification is that Japan is a long way from South Africa and we have no records from anywhere in between. There is also no anatomical information to compare. Finally we don't know what genus "Phyllidia" zebrina really belongs in.

All things considered you have found something very interesting, I suspect it is the same as Baba's P. zebrina but we have a lot of work to do before we can be sure.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman