Phyllidia ocellata? from Sulawesi

May 7, 2000
From: Lindsay Warren


Dear Bill

This specimen was found by Iain McKeith on 29 July 1999 at a depth of 17 m on encrusting coral in a recessed part of a wall on Pulau Hoga [Tukang Besi Archipelago, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia - Operation Wallacea].  Size: 30 mm.

We have found other specimens of P. ocellata which were quite easy to identify.  However this specimen posed a few questions:  the orange areas on the notum are not as solid as I have seen in other photos; the black areas are very irregular; there are 3 particularly large orange-dusted pustules on the central notum.  Photo: Lindsay Warren.

Is this a variant on P. ocellata, P. exquisita or another species?

All the best
Lindsay Warren.

alldcl@compuserve.com

Warren, L., 2000 (May 7) Phyllidia ocellata? from Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2366

Dear Lindsay,
This is one of the colour forms of P. ocellata, almost identical to one figured by Brunckhorst [Pl 2, fig G]. A copy of Brunckhorst's Pl 2, fig G, is at the top of this page at bottom left.

The background colour is basically yellow or black. I have included an enlarged view of part of the animal to show all the microscopic white glands which secrete (or appear in the process od secreting) the distastteful antifeedant defensive chemicals it obtains from its sponge food.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (May 7). Comment on Phyllidia ocellata? from Sulawesi by Lindsay Warren. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2366

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Phyllidia ocellata

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