This species has been observed on Reunion, Mauritius, Mayotte, Madagascar and Seychelles Islands

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Phyllidioidea Family : Phyllidiidae Distribution : Tropical Indo-West Pacific. Maximal size : 64 mm Abundance : Frequently on the fore reef zone Species characteristics : The general background coloration is dark mustard yellow to red-orange or red-brown The rhinophores are deep yellow in colour with the outer edge of the lamellae dark olive. The large tubercles usually have a pattern of reddish orange veins The foot sole is uniformely yellow
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Emmanuel Eby Réunion, Saint Leu, 60 mm, 25 July 2004

See more about : Sightening and mating periods
    See more about : Phyllidiopsis cardinalis variability in Southwest Indian ocean

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Bill Rudman
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - Phyllidia tuberculata Risbec, 1928

Bibliographic data :

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

50, 50 & 25 mm specimens, Reunion Island, 1-20 m depth, 1987, M.Ja
     8 mm specimen, Reunion Island, 18 m depth, 1 Dec 1989, M.Jay
    62, 46, 44, 38 & 35 mm specimens, Reunion Island, 5-20 m depth, 1989, M.Jay

Other external morphology characteristics

Live specimens ranged in length from 7 -64 mm and average size was 24 mm.
    The rhinophores are slightly club-shaped and deep yellow in colour with the outer edge of the lamellae dark olive, and each rhinophoral clavus possesses 18 ot 20 broad lamellae (specimens greater than 25mm).
The dark olive colouration becomes more predominant at the apex of each rhinophore and some specimens could have green rhinophores (see below, photo from Marina Poddubetskaia)
    The isolated tubercles are large and multicompound with numerous, small, rounded tubercles, they usually have a pattern of reddish orange veins. Shades of purple, grey, pink or yellow occur around the tubercle bases.
    The rim of the anal opening may be edged in dark grey-black.
    The mantle margin is yellow to olive-yellow with dark grey-black spots.

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Phyllidiopsis cardinalis
   Nudipixel Phyllidiopsis cardinalis

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 Phyllidiopsis cardinalis :

Emmanuel Eby   Photo of the yellow foot and underside of this animal   Réunion, Saint Leu, 60 mm , 25 July 2004

Alain-Benoît Rassat Madagascar, Nosy Bé, Ledge, 8 m, 23 December 2015, size : 10 mm     The adult pattern became to, appear in this specimen...

Marina Poddubetskaia   Sea slugs photographed on the dead coral where it was found Réunion, Dive site is "Banc de sable" at Saint Leu, 13m, 9 October 2002, size : 15-20 mm Photo which shows the animal on a sponge rather than a dead coral. It may prove to be a useful feeding record.

Monika Bachel Réunion, Cap La Houssaye at Saint Paul, 8 m, 30 August 2008, size : 40 mm

See more about : Phyllidiopsis cardinalis variability in Southwest Indian ocean

Reunion, Phyllidiopsis cardinalis, at Saint leu, by Emmanuel Eby

Mauritius, Phyllidiopsis cardinalis, at Pereybère, by Marina Poddubetskaia

Reunion, begining of mating between two P cardinalis, at Saint Leu, by Philippe Cao Van 

Réunion, Phyllidiopsis cardinalis with deep gren rhinophore, at Saint Gilles, by Alain Diringer 

Reunion, rhinophore detail of Phyllidiopsis cardinalis, at Saint Pierre, by David Faget  

Reunion, gills of Phyllidiopsis cardinalis, at Sainte Rose, by Thierry Cailleux  

Mayotte, Phyllidiopsis cardinalis, at Bandrélé, by Norbert Verneau

Madagascar, Phyllidiopsis cardinalis, at Nosy Bé, by Alain-Benoît Rassat