Phyllidia ocellata
Ocellate phyllidia
Papua New Guinea - PNG · Pacific Ocen - Bismarck Sea
- Size
- 25–50 mm · max 65 mm
- Depth
- 7–23 m
- Native range
- Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea
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Description
The type species of Phyllidia and one of the most familiar phyllidiids on Indo-West Pacific reefs, including the Red Sea. It is highly variable in pattern; like other phyllidiids it feeds on sponges and is chemically defended.
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Articles
Identification
Gold-yellow to orange back with typically four to ten black rings, each bordered with white and enclosing a central gold or white tubercle. In many individuals the black expands or meanders across the back and the white may be missing. Rhinophores yellow.
Similar species
Phyllidia flava is similarly yellow but has no black; P. varicosa, P. tula and P. coelestis have yellow-capped tubercles but blue-grey pigment.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Coral and rocky reefs, recorded from about 7 to 23 m.
Food
Sponges.
