Distribution: Moderately common within the Solitary Islands Marine Park, but easily overlooked. Common in the tropical and subtropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. Found throughout New South Wales, southern Queensland and Eastern Victoria.

Ecological Notes: Found under rocks and stones, from inter-tidal areas to a depth of 50 m. More common in shallower, temperate water. Feeds on sponges.

Additional Notes: This oval, broad bodied dorid can be cream to brown in colour and very well camouflaged. One of the largest intertidal nudibranchs, it is also able to cast off parts of its body in a process known as autotomy, similarly to a lizard casting off parts of its tail. In extreme cases it can cast off the whole of its mantle skirt if roughly handled or disturbed. Grows to at least 100 mm.

References: Gary Cobb, David Mullins, Nudibranchs Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition, 2015. Publishers Thomas Slone, Masalai Press and Tim Hochgrebe, Underwater Australasia. p.196.

Australian Museum, Sea Slug Forum. http://www.seaslugforum.net/showall/disclila. Accessed 27/09/2018.