Phyllidiella pustulosa

Images taken at Coles Hole, Gneering Shoal and Mudjimba Island, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia

Phyllidiellu pustulosa is an elongate, ovate species with pink tubercles on a black notum. In the median area of the notum, tubercles are usually clustered in three groups with the black dorsum showing between individual tubercles, or tubercles are amalgamated together within these groups so that little or no black is visible between tubercles. The mantle margin is edged in pale pink. This feature is obvious in small to medium sized animals but the pink edging becomes narrower in large specimens or it may be interrupted by black. Juveniles have tubercles grouped in amalgamated clusters around the perimeter of the dorsum and three large pink clusters of tubercles in the midline (1 anteriorly around the rhinophores, l centrally, l posteriorly). As an animal grows, individual tubercles or a few tubercles separate from the amalgamation and spread out, and the black background colouration appears between. With increasing body size, the distance between these tubercles increases. In large animals, the tubercles are entirely distinct from the original mass, however, the pattern of three main clusters is always present (see PI.SE-F). Individual tubercles are small, of irregular shape with a rounded apex (rarely angular) and may be compound. The rhinophores are black and each rhinophoral clavus possesses 22-26 lamellae). The anal opening occurs far posteriorly. Ventrally, the edge of the hyponotum is pale pink. The rest of the hyponotum is dark grey and cross hatched. The oral tentacles are grey, and broad and triangular in shape. Their tips arc rounded and black. Each oral tentacle slants away from the other rather than lying in parallel, and each has a very short lateral groove. The oral tentacles are usually quite distorted in the preserved state. The gills are dark grey. The foot sole is dark grey medially, becoming lighter towards the margins.