| Phyllidia varicosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A live individual of Phyllidia varicosa, head end towards the left | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Superfamily: | Phyllidioidea |
| Family: | Phyllidiidae |
| Genus: | Phyllidia |
| Species: | P. varicosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Phyllidia varicosa | |
Phyllidia varicosa is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Phyllidiidae. [2]
This species is widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific Oceans including the central Pacific and the Red Sea. [3]
This is a large species growing to at least 115 mm. It can be distinguished by its numerous (3 to 6), longitudinal, tuberculate notal ridges. The ridge and bases of the tubercles are a blue-grey colour. The tubercles are capped in yellow. The foot sole has a black longitudinal foot stripe. The rhinophoral clavus possesses 27 to 30 lamellae. [4]
Juveniles of the sea cucumber, Pearsonothuria graeffei are brightly coloured and closely resemble Phyllidia varicosa. They are white and blue or black, with a few large, yellow, thorn-like projections. These bright colours warn predators of the toxicity of the nudibranch, and this mimicry on the part of the sea cucumber species serves to protect it also. The adult sea cucumber has much duller colouration, but it is also much larger than the sea slug and has its own toxic chemicals at this stage. [5]
Phyllidiidae is a family of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Phyllidioidea.
Phyllidia elegans, also known as the elegant phyllidia, is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae. It is found in shallow water in the Red Sea and the tropical Indo-Pacific region.
Phyllidia ocellata is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia is a genus of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod molluscs in the family Phyllidiidae.
Reticulidia halgerda is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Pearsonothuria is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Holothuriidae. Pearsonothuria graeffei is the only species in the genus. Graeffe's sea cucumber is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean and the type locality is Viti Island, Fiji.
Phyllidia coelestis is a species of sea slug, a sacoglossan, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia carlsonhoffi is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia exquisita is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia goslineri is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia guamensis is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia madangensis is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia marindica is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia picta is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia polkadotsa is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia willani is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia koehleri is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia tula is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidia haegeli is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Phyllidiella rosans is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.
Media related to Phyllidia varicosa at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Phyllidia varicosa at Wikispecies