species: Phyllidia varicosa in taxonomy (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Phyllidia varicosa


©Barbara Banks: Phyllidia varicosa at Lizard Island

©Anne Hoggett: Phyllidia varicosa at Lizard Island, about 7 cm

©Barbara Banks: Phyllidia varicosa at Lizard Island showing anus at rear of animal (right side of photo, on blue section)
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Order Nudibranchia
Family Phyllidiidae
Genus Phyllidia
Species Phyllidia varicosa

Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

A large solid nudibranch with numerous (3-6) longitudinal ridges bearing tubercles, including a median ridge. Ridges and bases of tubercles are blue/grey, tubercles capped with yellow. Black stripes between the ridges. On underside, foot has a black longitudinal stripe. 

Size

  • Up to 10 cm (Length) - applies to Lizard Island specimens

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Web resources

References

  • Cortesi, F. and K.L. Cheney (2010). Conspicuousness is correlated with toxicity in marine opisthobranchs, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 23: 1509-1518. LIRS catalog number 1360.
  • Waegele, H., I. Burghardt, N. Anthes, J. Evertsen, A. Klussman-Kolb and G. Brodie (2006). Species diversity of opisthobranch molluscs on Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, In: Contemporary studies into the systematics and evolution of opisthobranch molluscs, (Eds. G. Brodie, S. Fahey and F.E. Wells), Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 69: 33-59. LIRS catalog number 1036.