Nautical Phyllidia

Phyllidia marindica is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.

Description

This nudibranch has a pattern of black on the dorsum interrupted by large yellow-capped tubercles surrounded by blue-grey rings. There are also many black rays or lines, on either side of the mantle, running at right angles to the mantle edge. The blue areas coalesce towards the edge of the mantle and the tubercles become small and increasingly numerous, without any yellow caps. The ventral surface of mantle and the foot are grey, as is the anal papilla. The rhinophores are yellow.

Distribution

This common species was described from Mauritius. It has been reported from the South Africa to Thailand and north-west Australia.

Diet

This species feeds on a sponge.