Doris chrysoderma

Kelly Shelley what's the difference between Doriosilla peculiaris and Neodoris chrysoderma? they look the same to me, is there some sort of distinguishing feature?

Gary Cobb OK...the main differences are is that Neodoris chrysoderma grows to about 30mm and is yellow with raised white pustules. Doriopsilla peculiar is grows to over 100m and has irregular and smaller pustules. It is also available in white and orange. The main differences lay beneath the skin. The radula are different and the DNA is different. When these species are described the scientist has to "compare" the new species with all known species to make sure it is different. The only real way to differentiate the species is to compare its internal anatomy.

Kelly Shelley the reason I ask is we lots of what could be either of these diving around Sydney and I can never work out which one I've seen. Would one of them be common in Sydney than the other to your knowledge?

Gary Cobb If the animal is small and bright yellow with white rounded high pustuales it is Neodoris chrysoderma. Here is the distibution. Neodoris chrysoderma (Angas, 1864) Southern Australia from New South Wales to Western Australia. Doriopsilla peculiaris (Abraham, 1877) Known only from southern Australia (Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).

Kelly Shelley awesome, thanks again for your help