Phyllidiopsis monacha

Phyllidiopsis monacha is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.[2]

Phyllidiopsis monacha
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Euctenidiacea
clade Doridacea
Superfamily:
Phyllidioidea
Family:
Phyllidiidae
Genus:
Phyllidiopsis
Species:
P. monacha
Binomial name
Phyllidiopsis monacha
(Yonow, 1986)[1]
Synonyms

Phyllidia monacha Yonow, 1986

Distribution

This species was described from Creek, Jeddah, Red Sea 21°44′N 39°07′E. It is endemic to the Red Sea.[3]

Description

This nudibranch has a white dorsum with a pattern of black and orange. The black pigment forms an irregular ring around the middle of the back with radiating lines extending to the mantle edge. The centre of the back and the edges of the mantle between the black markings have patches of orange-yellow. The rhinophores are also orange-yellow. It is a small Phyllidiid, growing to 20 mm in length.[3][4]

Diet

This species feeds on a sponge.

References
  1. Yonow, N. (1986) Red Sea Phyllidiidae (Mollusca: Nudibranchia) with descriptions of new species. Journal of Natural History 20 : 1401-1428.
  2. Rosenberg, G. (2015). Phyllidiopsis monacha (Yonow, 1986). In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2016-11-14.
  3. Rudman, W.B., 2007 (March 26) Phyllidiopsis monacha (Yonow, 1986). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
  4. Yonow, N., 2008. Sea Slugs of the Red Sea. Pensoft Series Faunistica, Volume 74. Sofia (Bulgaria) : Pensoft Publishers, p.223.
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