Parasite? on Phyllidia

October 3, 1999
From: Erwin Koehler


Bill,
Here are some photos of Phyllidia varicosa from the wreck of the "Liberty", depth 18 m, in Bali, Indonesia, March 1997 (photos by H.-H. Harms).

Do you know what is at its head? A parasite?
Erwin

Medslugs.Koehler@t-online.de

Koehler, E., 1999 (Oct 3) Parasite? on Phyllidia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1392

Dear Erwin,
It is possibly parasite, though I have never seen one remotely resembling this, or it is possibly some internal glands which have burst through the body wall following damage.

You'll note that the head region looks quite abnormal, rough, but without the normal ridges and tubercles. One characteristic feature of Phyllidia are the rhinotubercles, a pair of tubercles found, one behind each rhinophore pocket. These are absent in this specimen. I suspect something has taken a bite out of its head, which has partially grown back. It is possible the white fan-like structure are oral glands, normally found around the posterior part of the pharnyx or buccal bulb, which have burst out through a weakness in the damaged body wall ..... but this is only a guess on my part, if someone else has a more convincing explanation please let us know.
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Oct 3). Comment on Parasite? on Phyllidia by Erwin Koehler. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1392

Factsheet

Phyllidia varicosa

Related messages

  1. Phyllidia varicosa from Egypt
    From: Eddy Mannak, April 21, 2008
  2. Re: Phyllidia madangensis? from New Caledonia
    From: Jean-François Hervé, March 28, 2008
  3. Phyllidia varicosa from Mozambique
    From: David Abecasis, March 7, 2008
  4. Phyllidia varicosa from Tofo, Mozambique
    From: Natasja Vandeperre, August 22, 2007
  5. Phyllidia varicosa spawn from rodrigues island
    From: Philibert Bidgrain, July 16, 2007
  6. My first nudi photo
    From: Simon Lavers, March 29, 2007
  7. Phyllidia varicosa from the Great Barrier Reef
    From: Andrew Trevor-Jones, September 5, 2006
  8. Phyllidia varicosa from southern Egypt
    From: Kamal El Tawil, September 12, 2005
  9. Phyllidia varicosa from the Maldives
    From: Charles Rowe, May 27, 2005
  10. Thai fried egg nudibranch?
    From: Alyson Browett, March 16, 2005
  11. Phyllidia varicosa from Sth Africa
    From: Charles Rowe, February 6, 2004
  12. Slug id and is it reef safe.
    From: Terry Moore, December 12, 2003
  13. Phyllidia varicosa from Malaysia
    From: Asther M. Lau, October 12, 2003
  14. White Phyllidia varicosa? from Burma
    From: Mary Jane Adams, March 24, 2003
  15. Phyllidia varicosa mating
    From: Mary Jane Adams, March 24, 2003
  16. Phyllidia varicosa from Mozambique
    From: Rudolph van Jaarsveld, March 13, 2003
  17. Phyllidia varicosa from Pemba
    From: Paul Young, November 25, 2002
  18. Phyllidia varicosa from Tioman, Malaysia
    From: Maliza Anuar, July 17, 2002
  19. Giant size Phyllidia varicosa
    From: Valda Fraser, June 28, 2002
  20. Phyllidia varicosa from west Malaysia
    From: Kheong Sann Chan, June 24, 2002
  21. Photos of Phyllidia varicosa in aquarium
    From: Jeff Lockwood, May 13, 2002
  22. Phyllidia varicosa, dying?
    From: Jeff Lockwood, May 11, 2002
  23. Phyllidia varicosa from Malaysia
    From: Kheong Sann Chan, April 21, 2002
  24. So this must by Phyllidia varicosa!
    From: Des Paroz, October 11, 2001
  25. Phyllidia varicosa on crocodile fish
    From: Mary Jane Adams , September 3, 2001
  26. Phyllidia varicosa from Exmouth, W.A.
    From: Kirk Gibson, April 12, 2001
  27. Phyllidia varicosa from Madagascar
    From: Leif Abrell, January 26, 2001
  28. Phyllidia varicosa? from Thailand
    From: Dave Harasti, January 10, 2001
  29. Unknown Phyllidiid from Solomon Ids
    From: Mary Jane Adams, January 5, 2001
  30. Phyllidia varicosa from Indonesia
    From: Yasman, December 23, 2000
  31. Phyllidia varicosa in an aquarium
    From: Christopher Shaw, September 23, 2000
  32. Ecology of Phyllidia varicosa
    From: Yasman, July 27, 2000
  33. Phyllidia varicosa from South Africa
    From: Valda Fraser, March 24, 2000
  34. Re: Bob Bolland's phyllidiid
    From: Bill Rudman., January 23, 2000
  35. Okinawa Phyllidiid
    From: Robert F. Bolland, January 8, 2000
  36. Can I keep phyllidiids in the aquarium?
    From: Rob See, January 4, 1999

Show factsheet and all related messages