Phestilla sp. 1

Mehrotra, Rahul, A. Caballer Gutierrez, Manuel, M. Scott, Chad, Arnold, Spencer, Monchanin, Coline, Viyakarn, Voranop & Chavanich, Suchana, 2021, An updated inventory of sea slugs from Koh Tao, Thailand, with notes on their ecology and a dramatic biodiversity increase for Thai waters, ZooKeys 1042, pp. 73-188 : 73

* Phestilla sp. 1 Figure 21F

Material examined.

Two specimens 8-14 mm, CB.

Ecology.

Exclusively on its prey, the scleractinian coral Goniopora in coral reef habitats. Locally observed to be predating colonies of Goniopora fruticosa Saville-Kent, 1891. Depth 2-8 m.

Distribution.

Phestilla sp. 3 ( Gosliner et al. 2008) is recorded from Tanzania, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the Marshall Islands. Here representing a first record for Thai waters.

Figures

Figure 21. A Phestilla lugubris 30 mm B Phestilla melanobrachia 30 mm (photograph by Tom Jang) C Phestilla cf. minor 18 mm D Phestilla viei 20 mm E Phestilla subodiosa 2 mm F Phestilla sp. 1 8 mm G Phestilla sp. 2 4 mm H Phestilla sp. 3 3 mm I Trinchesia sp. 1 10 mm (photograph by Wanraya Kraikruan) J Trinchesia sp. 2 40 mm K Trinchesia sp. 3 45 mm (photograph by Pau Urgell Plaza) L Trinchesiidae sp. 6 mm.