Phestilla lugubris (Bergh, 1870)

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 lugubris (Bergh, 1870) Figure 21A

Material examined.

One specimen 30 mm, HWB; two specimens 25-30 mm, SO.

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 Dana, 1846, Porites lutea Milne Edwards, 1860, and Porites sp., all of which have been observed hosting the distinctive egg ribbons of the species. Depth 1-16 m.

Distribution.

Widespread across the Indo-Pacific including the Red Sea ( Yonow 2000), Mozambique ( Tibiriçá et al. 2017), India ( Apte 2009), Vietnam ( Risbec 1956), Indonesia ( Burghardt et al. 2006), Tanzania, Madagascar, Seychelles, the Philippines, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Caledonia, Hawaii, and the Pacific coast of North America ( Gosliner et al. 2008). Recorded from both Andaman and Gulf waters of Thailand ( Chavanich et al. 2013).

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.