Phyllaplysia lafonti (P. Fischer, 1870)

Description

A small sea hare reaching about 25 mm in length. Ground colour is translucent yellowish-white. Fine longitudinal white lines and white patches run across the body. Some individuals also show fine brown spots, and a few develop low tubercles. The rhinophores match the body colour and bear several slender finger-like projections.

The species lives on the brown alga Padina ("the lobed white-cup-tail") used as host.

Distribution

Indian Ocean to western and central Pacific.

Remarks

In the field guide "Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification — Indo-Pacific" (2015) the species is listed as Petalifera lafonti, but no source documenting that generic transfer has been located. WoRMS and other major databases continue to recognise Phyllaplysia lafonti, which is followed here. Petalifera petalifera is the Mediterranean species in the related genus.

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References

• Phyllaplysia lafonti (genus Phyllaplysia), Fischer P. (1872). Sur deux nouveaux types génériques de Mollusques opisthobranches du Bassin d'Arcachon. Journal de Conchyliologie. 20: 5-14.
• スカシウミナメクジ（新称）Petalifera petalifera, 小野篤司. (2004). 沖縄のウミウシ. ラトルズ.
• Petalifera lafonti, Terrence Gosliner, Ángel Valdés and David Behrens. (2015). Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification Indo-Pacific. New World Pubns Inc.