Phyllidia coelestis
Bergh, 1905
Photographed by: Jon Ellis
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Opisthobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Family: | Phyllidiidae |
| Species: | Phyllidia coelestis |
Comment from Richard Willan on photo #393
An excellent photo of a typical individual.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #2177
The large mid-dorsal pustules do not combine to form longitudinal ridges in Phyllidia coelestis, as occurs in Phyllidia varicosa.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #2036
A typical individual. Note the orange rhinophores and the numerous small pustules on the outer section of the mantle. There is no black longitudinal stripe on the foot sole.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #1129
It is Phyllidia coelestis, not Phyllidia varicosa. It does not have the pustules arranged into longitudinal ridges on its dorsum and I guarantee, if turned over, it would not have a series of longitudinal dashes on the foot sole (Phyllidia varicosa has the ridges dorsally and the stripe on the foot sole).Locality:
- Indonesia
- Bali (3) Feb, Mar, Jul
- Ambon (2) Dec
- Manado (2) Mar
- Raja Ampat (2) Jan
- Halmahera (1)
- North Sulawesi (1) Apr
- Wakatobi (1)
- Flores (1) Mar
- Lembeh (1)
- Japan
- Okinawa (3) Jun
- Solomon Islands
- Solomon Islands (2) Jul
- Malaysia
- Tioman (2) Jan, Oct
- Lankayan (1) Jun
- Aur - Dayang (1) Jun
- Tenggol (1) Sep
- Fiji
- Bligh Water (1)
- Fiji (1) Feb
Pictures of Phyllidia coelestis
Similar Species
Author: Nila Murti
To untrained eye, Phyllidia coelestis can easily be mistaken for Phyllidia varicosa and vice versa. Understandable, as these two posses very similar basic form, coloration and pattern. Both have tubercles with blue bases and yellow caps.
To differentiate the two look at the dorsal pattern. If the nudibranch has a median ridge it's a Phyllidia varicosa. If it doesn't have a median ridge and the ridge forms a Y shape arrangement instead, it's a Phyllidia coelestis.
Phyllidia coelestis also shows a broader mantle margin with smaller tubercles that has no yellow caps.
And also juvenile form of sea cucumber, Pearsonothuria graffei, mimic Phyllidia varicosa
