Phestilla cf. minor Rudman, 1981

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 cf. minor Rudman, 1981 Figure 21C

Material examined.

Four specimens 15-25 mm, CA.

Ecology.

Exclusively on or in the immediate vicinity of its prey, the scleractinian coral Porites in coral reef habitats. Locally observed to be predating colonies of Porites lobata and Porites lutea . Depth 6-14 m.

Distribution.

Across the Indo-Pacific including Tanzania, Australia, Hawaii ( Rudman 1981), Indonesia ( Burghardt et al. 2006), Madagascar, Seychelles, Philippines, Japan, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia ( Gosliner et al. 2008). Recorded from the Gulf waters of Thailand ( Chavanich et al. 2013).

Remarks.

Recent molecular analyses have revealed Phestilla minor to be a complex of up to six distinct species ( Mehrotra et al. 2020a).

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.