Phyllidiopsis annae

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Family: Phyllidiidae
Genus: Phyllidiopsis
Species: Phyllidiopsis annae

Phyllidiopsis annae is a dorid nudibranch in the family Phyllidiidae. Like its relatives it has a firm body and no external gill plume; the gills are hidden beneath the mantle.

It is easy to recognise by its pale blue back marked with bold black lines running the length of the body, a pale mantle edge, and dark rhinophores.

Phyllidiids feed on sponges and are protected by chemical defences, which is part of why they can crawl around in the open by day.

In the Philippines it turns up on reef slopes and rubble. Its blue and black colours stand out well against the reef, so a low angle with the rhinophores in focus gives a strong portrait.

It appears on page 180 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.

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