Phyllidia? from New Zealand

September 15, 2001
From: Chris Irvine

Dear Bill,
Can you ID this please. It was photographed at Alderman Islands - Bay of Plenty - New Zealand. Size 80 - 100mm. On rocky reef, April 2000.

I had no idea what I was looking at but now assume it is a nudibranch

Chris

csirvine@wave.co.nz

Irvine, C., 2001 (Sep 15) Phyllidia? from New Zealand. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5248

Dear Chris,
I'm afraid not every weird shape is a nudibranch. I suspect this is a sponge colony. The pale band around the base, which looks like a foot, is probably part of the colony which was previously covered by sand. In future if you come across a strange object take a photo then give it a gentle prod to see if its attached. If it is not attached then by turning it over you may see some clues to what it is. Of course you should turn it back afterwards.

Any further mysteries - or non mysteries for that matter - from New Zealand are always welcome.
Cheers,
Bill Rudman

Rudm,an, W.B., 2001 (Sep 15). Comment on Phyllidia? from New Zealand by Chris Irvine. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5248

Factsheet

New Zealand opisthobranchs

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