Phyllidia exquisita
Brunckhorst, 1993

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Family: Phyllidiidae

DISTRIBUTION

Known from the central and western Pacific Ocean and the north-eastern Indian Ocean (Thailand).

PHOTO

3 m depth, Lion Island, Papua New Guinea, 18 Apr. 1984, dorsal view of 11 mm specimen, Photo: C. Carlson & P. Hoff (Brunckhorst, 1993: Plate 3C).

Notes compiled from Brunckhorst, 1993:
Phyllidia exquisita is a relatively small species characterised by the possession of white background colour with black lines, two median longitudinal areas of white on either side of the central tubercles, small, simple rounded tubercles which occur in definite rows (but do not form ridges), yellow edge to the mantle margin, and white coloration ventrally.

The present species does not possess the orange-yellow background coloration or the pattern found in Phyllidia ocellata. It is most similar to Phyllidia willani and Phyllidia babai in the possession of a white background colour and black markings. Both those species are much larger. Phyllidia willani also differs from P. exquisita in having black swirls, large and small tubercles, a characteristic granular appearance to the notum, and grey coloration ventrally. Phyllidia babai has black rings (rather than lines) and larger tubercles.

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 (January 12) Phyllidia exquisita Brunckhorst, 1993. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/phylexqu

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