Phyllidiopsis xishaensis (Lin, 1983) (or striata Bergh, 1889)

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

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Phyllidioidea Family : Phyllidiidae Distribution : Indo west Pacific Maximal size : 20 mm Abundance : Frequently on the fore reef zone Species characteristics : Translucent pale ochre coloured rhinophores     Ground color pale blue to white with four longitidinal black stripes, the inner two joining anteriorly beetween the rhinophores, the outer two joining anteriorly and posteriorly.    Numerous small black spots present peripherally on the margin    Three, low, white median-longitudinal ridges ridges join at the anus and run anteriorly. The median one is simple, the outer two are doubled.
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Hugues Flodrops Reunion, "Grotte Kelonia" at Saint Leu, 12 m, 12 December 2006, size 10 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

See more about : Phyllidiopsis xishaensis variability in Southwest Indian Ocean

Remarks :

  Identification confirmed by Nathalie Yonow
    Some specialistes considered this species as Phyllidiella striata (Bergh, 1889) also called Phyllidiopsis striata Bergh, 1889
    In Reunion Island specimens we observed some variability in the four longitidinal black stripes. In some specimens the two external black lines aren't connected anteriorly and posteriorly and in some others two external black lines aren't connected anteriorly but connected posteriorly. And in one specimen the two external black lines aren't connected anteriorly but connected posteriorly and where the two internal black lines are connected both anterioly and posteriorly
    In Mayotte Island we found a specimen with original Brunckhorst description with the inner two joining anteriorly beetween the rhinophores, the outer two joining anteriorly and posteriorly.
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - Phyllidia xixhaensis Lin, 1983

Bibliographic data :

Other external morphology characteristics

Live specimens ranged in length from 6-19 mm and average size was 12 mm.
    Three, low, white median-longitudinal ridges originate from the vicinity of the anal opening and run anteriorly.The central ridge is always shorter, terminating just posterior to the rhinophores, and may be interrupted anteriorly in some specimens. The lateral ridges are longer and run through the rhinophoral pockets almost to the anterior edge of the mantle
    Tiny, conical white tubercles are scattered along the ridges and on the white mantle margin.
    The rhinophores are pale ochre coloured and each rhinophoral clavus possesses 11 to 13 lamellae (specimens 12-19 mm).
    Ventrally, the sole and the hyponotum are pale grey, and there is a black line on the hyponotum beneath the gills

Similar species

Phyllidiopsis phiphiensis has two white ridges and three black bands (three white ridges and four black bands in P. xishaensis)
    Phyllidiopsis annae has three blue ridges and four black bands, but has black rhinophores and possesses blue coloration dorsally .
    Phyllidiopsis sphingis has three irregular white ridges which are usually separated (straight ridges join at the anus in P. xishaensis, iridescent blue coloration to the mantle skirt, black rays extending from outer most black lines to the mantle edge, and a cream to white foot sole (grey in P. xishaensis.))
    Phyllidiopsis gemmata has black rhinophores and the outer most black lines extend to the mantle edge anteriorly and posteriorly.

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Phyllidiopsis striata
   Nudipixel Phyllidiopsis xishaensis

Publications :

Brunckhorst,D.J.(1993)The systematics and phylogeny of Phyllidiid Nudibranchs (Doridoidea). Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 16 : 1-107.
    Lin, G. 1983.  A study on the genus Phyllidia in China .  Tropi oceanology 2 (2): 148 – 153.
    Yonow, N. Anderson, C. and Buttress, S. G. (2002). Opistobranch molluscs from the Chagos Archipelado, Central Indian Ocean. Journal of Natural History, 36, 831-882
    Yonow N. (2012) Opisthobranchs from the western Indian Ocean, with descriptions of two new species and ten new records (Mollusca, Gastropoda). ZooKeys 197: 1–129. [22 May 2012]

Other photos of Phyllidiopsis xishaensis :

Matthias Deuss Mayotte, M'Bouini, moins de 1 m, 21 December 2009, size : 10-15 mm On this specimen, abcense of small black spots on the margin

Philippe Bourjon Reunion, La saline, less 1 m, 13 August 2014 Ventrally, the sole and the hyponotum are pale grey, and there is a black line aound the foot (a) and black spot on the underside of the mantle (b)

Alain-Benoît Rassat Madagascar, plateau des arches, 17 m, 15 October 2013, size : 25 mm    On this specimen, abcense of small black spots on the margin

Alain-Benoît Rassat Madagascar, plateau des arches, 14 m, 13 october 2013, size : 20 mm   According Nathalie Yonow, it will be Phyllidiopsis xishaensis with the small black peripherally spots forming two additional black lines

Philibert Bidgrain Reunion, "Les brisants" at Etang sale les bains, 2 m, 31 January 2005, size : 10-12 mm Two specimens where the two external black lines aren't connected anteriorly and posteriorly

Marina Poddubetskaia Date : October 10, 2002 Location : St-Leu, Reunion, Site : Les arches Depth : 12m Size : 6mm

Hugues Flodrops Reunion, "Grotte Kelonia" at Saint Leu, 12 m, 12 December 2006, size 10 mm Two specimens where the two external black lines aren't connected anteriorly but connected posteriorly.

Hugues Flodrops Reunion, "Pain de sucre" Saint-Gilles, Reunion Island, depth 12 m, size about 9 mm, date observed : 20 December 2006.

Sonia Ribes Beaudemoulin Reunion, Saint Leu, 18 December 2007 One specimen where the two external black lines aren't connected anteriorly but connected posteriorly and where the two internal black lines are connected both anterioly and posteriorly

Eva Fontaine musical plage, Mayotte on the fore reef zone of the littoral reef, 1 m, 19 October 2008, size : 5-8 mm   Ground color pale blue to white with four longitidinal black stripes, the inner two joining anteriorly beetween the rhinophores, the outer two joining anteriorly and posteriorly. This specimen corresponded to Brunckhorst description (1993)

See more about : Phyllidiopsis xishaensis variability in Southwest Indian Ocean

Mauritius, Phyllidiopsis xishaensis, at Peyrebere, by Mathieu Bayon

Mauritius, Phyllidiopsis xishaensis with broken black lines, at Flic en Flac, by Hugues Flodrops

Reunion, a whitish P. xishaensis with interrupted black lines, at Saint Leu, by Guillaume Boeye 

Madagascar, Phyllidiopsis xishaensis, at Masoala, by Olivier Fournajoux