Dermatobranchus sp. 2

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

* Dermatobranchus sp. 2 Figure 19I, J

Material examined.

One specimen 27 mm, TT.

Ecology.

Exclusive to the soft sediment habitats outside the coral reef. Depth 21 m.

Distribution.

Unknown.

Remarks.

Dermatobranchus sp. 2 is characterised by prominent pale yellow marginal sacs that are very visible as conical papillae. The dorsal longitudinal ridges and grooves are white to pale brown and scattered sparsely with small brown spots of varying sizes. These spots extend to the oral veil, which is noticeably whiter than the dorsum. The rhinophore stalks are translucent white followed by a sharp black band at the base of the rhinophore club. This fades into brown, becoming paler apically with a translucent white apex. The anterior foot corners are blunt and short, with the foot being white. This species resembles D. fasciatus but differs in lacking any marginal pigmentation on either mantle or foot, and possessing prominent marginal papillae that are not seen in D. fasciatus .

Figures

Figure 19. A Armina scotti 41 mm B Dermatobranchus caeruleomaculatus 55 mm C Dermatobranchus dendronephthyphagus 40 mm D Dermatobranchus fortunatus 11 mm E Dermatobranchus semilunus 33 mm (photograph by Pau Urgell Plaza) F Dermatobranchus cf. striatus 14 mm G, H Dermatobranchus sp. 1 32 mm (G) and 28 mm (H) I, J Dermatobranchus sp. 2 27 mm K Bornella hermanni 12 mm L Bornella johnsonorum 35 mm.