Phyllidia varicosa from Malaysia

October 12, 2003
From: Asther M. Lau

Hello Bill,
Attached is a common slug found in Malaysian waters. As I scanned through your species list, I realised this 'hard-type' has a long list of different species! Would appreciate if you can help identify this one.

Site: Tjg Gemuk, Tenggol Is. Malaysia
Depth: 15 meter
Size: Approx. 6 - 8 cm
Date: 31st May 2003

Thank you!
Asther M. Lau

alau425@hotmail.com

Lau, A.M., 2003 (Oct 12) Phyllidia varicosa from Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11199

Dear Asther,
When you describe this as a 'hard type' I am not sure if you are describing how it feels to touch or how difficult it is to identify.

This is Phyllidia varicosa. I have included a close-up alongside to show a couple of interesting features visible in your photo. I have put a red ring around the anal papilla which is usually quite difficult to see in photos. In most dorids there is a dorsal circle of gills with the anus opening in the centre. In the phyllidiids, the circle of gills is lost, but in most cases the anus, stays in the dorsal midline, marking the spot where the gills used to be. The other feature you can see are the white specks all over the mantle. These are glands which can secrete a very toxic white secretion when the animals are disturbed. These secretions can quickly kill a tank of fish - another good reason to leave nudibranchs in the sea
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Oct 12). Comment on Phyllidia varicosa from Malaysia by Asther M. Lau. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11199

Factsheet

Phyllidia varicosa

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