Phyllidiella hageni

Species Profile
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Phyllidiella hageni
Author: Fahrner & Beck, 2000
Order: Nudibranchia Family: Phyllidiidae
Maximum Size: 50 mm
Sightings: Sunshine Coast
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Phyllidiella hageni Fahrner & Beck, 2000
Elongate-oval in shape. Light pink to red dorsum colour with four main longitudinal black lines between the distinct ridges. The central-most pair of black lines are located each side of the central ridge and are shorter than the outer-most pair and meet anterior to the dorsal anal papilla. These are often joined transversely several times. The outer-most pair of black lines run from anterior to the rhinophores, where they are joined, the full length of the dorsum where at the level of the anal papilla they digress medially and then laterally somewhat before reaching the posterior edge. The mantle carries a sub-marginal or marginal narrow black line. There are a number of short transverse black lines joining each outermost black line with the sub-marginal/marginal line. The authors advise that the pattern of black lines is variable. The tubercles are most usually distinct, simple, pink-based and white-tipped. Some may be surrounded by several quite small tubercles but only occasionally do they coalesce. The rhinophores are black apically and pink basally. The ventral surface of the foot is pale grey (sometimes pale pink) without any lines or markings.
Originally described from specimens collected from Indonesia. Also known from Papua New Guinea and now Southern Queensland, Australia.
David Mullins – August 2021
References:
– Fahrner, A. & Beck, L. A. (2000). Identification key to the Indo-Pacific species of the nudibranch family Phyllidiidae Rafinesque 1814, including the description of two new species (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia). Archiv für Molluskenkunde 128: 189-211.
– Domínguez, M., Quintas, P. & Troncoso, J. S. (2007). Phyllidiidae (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia) from Papua New Guinea with the description of a new species of Phyllidiella. American Malacological Bulletin 22: 89–117.
– Gosliner, T. M., Valdés, Á. & Behrens, D. W. (2018). Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification: Indo-Pacific – 2nd Ed. New World Publications, Jacksonville, Florida.