This species has been observed on Reunion and Madagascar Islands

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Phyllidioidea Family : Phyllidiidae Distribution : Western Indian Ocean. Maximal size : 40mm Abundance : Seldom if ever : on the fore reef zone Species characteristics : The rhinophores are cream to white. They have a uniform creamish yellow dorsum from which arise the stalked papillae, the papillae are cream and their uppermost surfaces possess an aggregation of small black spots
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Cédric Péneau Réunion, Cap La Houssaye, 15 m, 22 décembre 2010, taille : 35 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Nathalie Yonow
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - Ceratophyllidia grisea Eliot, 1910

Bibliographic data :

Materiel examined by David J.Brunckhorst ( see references/publications).

30 mm specimen, Reunion Island, 5-20 m depth, 1989, M.Jay

Other external morphology characteristics

The available specimens measured 30 mm and 20 mm alive.
    The rhinophores are cream to white and are rounded apically, and each rhinophoral clavus possesses 16 to 20 lamellae. Rhinotubercles are absent.
    The spherical tubercles on the back of C.africana are attached by a short narrow "stalk". When disturbed the animal is able to break off the tubercles so animals can often be found with a mixture of large and small (growing) tubercles which are replacing the ones which have been broken off.

Similar species

Brunckhorst, 1993 considers that the only named species, C. africana, is restricted to the western Indian Ocean and suggests Western Pacific species can be separated into two further species. His main distinguishing features are the presence (pacific species) or absence( C.africana) of dark markings on the dorsum and whether the spherical tubercles are a uniform dark colour (grey or brownish - in Pacific species), or with black spots (in C. africana).
    Bill Rudman has seen specimens of both colour forms from New Caledonia so it is possible that Ceratophyllidia africana is a widely distributed species with a variable colour pattern.

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Ceratophyllidia africana
   Nudipixel Ceratophyllidia africana

Publications :

Brunckhorst, D.J. (1993) The systematics and phylogeny of Phyllidiid Nudibranchs (Doridoidea). Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 16: 1-107.

Other photos of Ceratophyllidia africana :

Photo Cédric Péneau Réunion, Cap La Houssaye, 15 m, 22 December 2010, size : 35 mm Detail of the stalked papillae. The papillae are cream and their uppermost surfaces possess an aggregation of small black spots

Maurice Jay Cap La Houssaye, 10 m.

Maurice Jay

Madagascar, Nosy Bé	Jacques Vieira