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Opisthobranch of the Week Data
Taxonomy:
Phyllidiopsis striata is considered to be rare on Okinawa as I have collected a total of eight individuals; the first specimen was collected on 24 May, 1987. The above featured animal was found crawling on the surface of shaded coral rubble amid a live stony coral reef, near the reef drop-off.
As of mid-July, 2007, the following eight described species of Phyllidiopsis have been featured on the Okinawa Slug Site:
Of the above species, only two closely resemble Phyllidiopsis striata; P. annae and P. sphingis, but of the three, P. striata is the only one having yellow rhinophores. In addition, Brunckhorst (1993) provides the following distinguishing external characteristics [in part] for P. striata:
"Phyllidiopsis striata is easily distinguished in the field by its three low, white longitudinal dorsal ridges, white mantle skirt, four black longitudinal bands and lemon-yellow rhinophores."
In contrast to the lemon-yellow rhinophores of P. striata, the rhinophores of P. annae are black and those of P. sphingis are cream-colored.
Literature Cited:
