Phidiana lynceus

Photo courtesy of Jeff Hamann

Phidiana lynceus Bergh, 1867

This is one of the most variably colored species in the Caribbean. Hence the number of species described over the years that have had to be combined (synonymized) with Rudolph Bergh’s original description. See Caribbean Sea Slugs for the nitty-gritty.

Jeff’s photo above is probably the most typical color, translucent grey with white and blue lines on the dorsal. These lines split on the head and follow the oral tentacles. Some specimens may be quite dark} in color, or even greenish .

Rhinophore and head coloration varies the most, and has lead to some of the taxonomic confusion.

This species ranges from Florida, throughout the eastern Caribbean all the way to Brazil, and may reach 30mm in length.

Reference:

Caribbean Sea Slugs – A field guide to the opisthobranch mollusks from the tropical northwestern Atlantic. 2006. Valdes, Hamann, Behrens and DuPont. Sea Challengers Natural History Books, Gig Harbor, WA. 289p.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
March 2005

Ali Hermosillo and Dave Behrens Author: Pacific Coast Nudibranchs and Nudibranch Behavior Co-Author Coral Reef Animals of the Indo Pacific Proprietor of Sea Challengers Natural History Books Send Dave mail at dave@seachallengers.com

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