Phyllidiopsis monacha

Phyllidia monacha is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.^[2]

Phyllidiopsis monacha
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Nudibranchia
Superfamily:	Phyllidioidea
Family:	Phyllidiidae
Genus:	Phyllidia
Species:	P. monacha
Binomial name
Phyllidia monacha Yonow, 1986[1]
Synonyms
Phyllidia monacha Yonow, 1986

Distribution

This species was described from Creek, Jeddah, Red Sea 21°44′N 39°07′E. It is endemic to the Red Sea.^[3]

Description

This nudibranch has a white dorsum with a pattern of black and orange. The black pigment forms an irregular ring around the middle of the back with radiating lines extending to the mantle edge. The centre of the back and the edges of the mantle between the black markings have patches of orange-yellow. The rhinophores are also orange-yellow. It is a small Phyllidiid, growing to 20 mm in length.^[3][4]

Diet

This species feeds on a sponge.