The pure white body with black rhinophores and gills resemble Ardeadoris scottjohnsoni, but body texture easily distinguishes them. P. fellowsi has a stiff, firm body and lacks the yellow margin found in A. scottjohnsoni. Despite the fairly large size of 40mm and exposed habits, we found only one of these during our nudibranch watching from 1977 to 1985, and this was at Pupukea, Oahu. Five specimens from Pupukea collected during the 1960s were reported in the original description by Kay & Young (1969) and they were reported to be found regularly in more recent times by Hoover (1999) and others diving the same site. This appears to be another example of how species come and go.
References:
1999. Hoover, J.P. Hawai'i's Sea Creatures. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu. 366pp.
1969. Kay, E.A. & D.K. Young. The Doridacea (Opisthobranchia; Mollusca) of the Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science 23(2):172-231.
Created 20 April 2009
Updated 14 February 2022