Paradoris liturata - amazing phyllidiid mimic

Dear Sean,

Thanks for this interesting record. I think I will bite the bullet and identify this as Paradoris liturata rather than Paradoris cf. liturata . This amazing mimic of Phyllidiella is crying out for some research. I guess it's reasonable to assume that P. liturata is the mimic and species of Phyllidiella are the model in this case. Which raises the question of just how could a mimic is this animal? Does it just rely on looking like a distasteful and noxious Phyllidiella, or does it also store distasteful and noxious molecules in its skin to protect it from predation as well? And does it have behaviouarl similarities as well. Phyllidiids are well known as the nudibranchs most often encountered in daylight, the suggestion being that their poisonous skin is a deterrent to daytime fish attack. It would be interesting to know if this species of Paradoris also makes little attaempt to hide itself during day time.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman