The family Phyllidiidae
includes dorids with tough, rubbery bodies and gill leaflets located
ventrally between the mantle and the foot. They lack the dorsal gills typical of most dorids. They are suctorial
sponge feeders that lack a radula and retain poisonous chemical compounds, derived from
their sponge prey, for use in their own defense. Most are diurnally
active and possess aposematic coloration
advertising their toxicity. There are about 15 species known from
Hawaii in four genera (Ceratophyllidia,
Phyllidia, Phyllidiella and Phyllidiopsis).
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