The shape and basic coloration of this specimen are closest to Phyllodesmium poindimiei but the animals differ in the white spotting. The figure in the original description by Risbec (1928) does not show any spots. However, Rudman (1991) does refer to "presence of small irregular white patches on the body and cerata of many specimens of P. poindimiei" and there are numerous photos of white spotted specimens identified as that species are on iNaturalist. In the Marshalls, it is known from a single 18mm long specimen from Enewetak Atoll, two more from Kwajalein and one from Majuro.
The Kwajalein specimen below was about 10mm in length and found and photographed by Christina Sylvester at a depth of about 1m in one of the Kwajalein reef quarries.
The one below was found and photographed by Stan Jazwinski in a seaward reef channel underhang at a depth of about 8m.
The Majuro specimen below was found by Ken Cone and Beth Van Zummeren.
Created 8 January 2007
Updated 2 December 2021