Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis Brunckhorst, 1993

Description

A phyllidiid 10-29 mm long (mean 14 mm). The notum is white with three longitudinal black lines and black spots. Two low, white ridges run down the mid-dorsum, uniting at the anus. Anteriorly each ridge continues from the posterior edge of the rhinophoral pocket to the anterior margin of the mantle. Three narrow longitudinal black lines run between the ridges and the white marginal area, and small black spots occur along the white marginal band. Tiny notal tubercles, each supported by a single vertical spicule, are scattered over the white dorsal areas. The rhinophores are white with 12-14 lamellae (specimens >15 mm). The hyponotum is white with small black spots along its margin. The gills, foot and oral tentacles are all white.

Distribution

Known only from the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand (north-eastern Indian Ocean). Type locality: Phi Phi Island (5 m).

Etymology

Verbatim from the original description (Brunckhorst, 1993, p.70):

The name for this species is derived from its type locality, the Phi Phi Islands (pronounced

pee pee"), 48 km to the south east of Phuket, southern Thailand."

Remarks

Described as a new species in the Brunckhorst 1993 revision of the Phyllidiidae Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 16: 1-107. The related Phyllidiopsis striata has four black bands (versus three in P. phiphiensis) and lemon yellow rhinophores (white in this species). Phyllidiopsis annae has blue ridges and black rhinophores, whereas P. sphingis has cream to pale yellow rhinophores.

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References

• Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis n.sp., Brunckhorst D.J. (1993). The systematics and phylogeny of phyllidiid nudibranchs (Doridoidea). Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 16: 1-107.
• Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis, Terrence Gosliner, Ángel Valdés and David Behrens. (2018). Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification Indo-Pacific 2nd Edition. New World Pubns Inc.