Ocellate Phyllidia

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

Description

This animal can measure up to 60 mm in length. There is some variation in this species but most commonly this nudibranch has a yellow body with a dorsum covered in yellow or white tubercules. There are varying patterns on its upper body, typically between four to ten black rings edged with white surround the tubercules. Some specimens found in southern Thailand have dorsums with a mainly black background and yellow tubercles, but very little or no white colour.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific Ocean the Red Sea.

Ecology

Like many nudibranchs, Phyllidia ocellata feeds on sponges. They have been observed consuming orange sponges from the Order Axinellida