Phyllidia carlsonhoffi from Papua New Guinea

Dear 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