Distribution: Uncommon to rare in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Known from temperate south eastern Australian waters and New Zealand.

Ecological Notes: Recorded from intertidal and sub-tidal waters to a depth of at least 10 m. Thought to feed on arborescent bryozoans.

Additional Notes: Recognised by the orange or reddish body with brown or black speckles. The tail of the animal is pointed and flattens into a paddle shape when the animal “swims”. Species of Plocamopherus have a series of large compound papillae arising from the oral veil and the sides of the mantle. Some of these papillae often have a large bulb at the tip, which, when the animal is disturbed, luminesce, producing flashes of light. Grows to 100 mm in length.

References: Gary Cobb, David Mullins, Nudibranchs Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition, 2015. Publishers Thomas Slone, Masalai Press and Tim Hochgrebe, Underwater Australasia. p.271.

Australian Museum, Sea Slug Forum. http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/plocimpe. Accessed 26/09/2018