Ceratophyllidia africana Eliot, 1903

Description

A dorid nudibranch in the family Phyllidiidae. The genus is characterised by soft, stalked, globular tubercles on the dorsum. Body colour grey to brown; the soft, flexible tubercles distinguish it from other phyllidiids whose tubercles are firm.

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean, mainly the East African coast. The type locality is Wasini Island (off southern Kenya, near Zanzibar).

Etymology

The specific epithet africana is the Latin for "African" and refers to the East African type locality.

Remarks

Originally described in 1903 "On some nudibranchs from East Africa and Zanzibar, part II" (Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond.). Ceratophyllidia grisea Eliot, 1910 is a junior synonym. Phyllidiidae are well known for secreting noxious chemicals as a defence against predators.

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References

• Ceratophyllidia africana, Terrence Gosliner, Ángel Valdés and David Behrens. (2015). Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification Indo-Pacific. New World Pubns Inc.