Invertebrate
Phyllidia multituberculata
Phyllidia multituberculataAlso known as Multi-tuberculate Phyllidia, Many-tubercled Phyllidia
Phyllidia multituberculata is an Indo-Pacific sea slug adorned with dozens of clustered, wart-like tubercles across its tough mantle. Lacking the exposed feathery gill plume seen in most dorid nudibranchs, it breathes through specialized branchial leaflets tucked into the groove beneath its mantle skirt. Adults graze deliberately over coral reef structures, sequestering pungent defensive terpenes from their sponge diet to deter foraging fish.
MarineReef DwellerToxic Defense
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyDemosponges, Halisarca sponges, Axinellid sponges
Predators
- Sea spiders
- Crabs
ThreatsCoral reef degradation, ocean warming, and habitat loss
HabitatsTropical coral reefs and shallow rocky subtidal slopes
Life spanApproximately 6–12 months
Classification
- FamilyPhyllidiidae
- SpeciesPhyllidia multituberculata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance while diving or snorkeling.
Responsible observation
- Diving Etiquette: Maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid touching or disturbing fragile reef sponges.
- Macro Photography: Use a moderate focal length lens to photograph the intricate tubercles without touching the substrate.
Close Relative (c) Steve Childs, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Tine Kinn Kvamme, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tine Kinn Kvamme · cc-by
Same Family (c) Tine Kinn Kvamme, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tine Kinn Kvamme · cc-by
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