This unique specimen has some characteristics of several species, including Phyllidiella granulata, Phyllidiopsis fissurata, and Phyllidiella cooraburrama, but it also differs from each of those. P. granulata is gray rather than pink dorsally. This animal has much less crowded dorsal pink compound tubercles than P. fissurata, and the black background color is easily visible between them. In addition, this animal has a white speckled underside and white foot, rather than the pink of the real P. fissurata. P. cooraburrama typically does not have compound dorsal tubercles. For now we think it best to keep this animal separated.
Created 30 December 2006
Updated 5 January 2022