Unknown nudibranch from Bali

November 20, 2009
From: Peter Eyre

I took this photo at Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia in 2007. This nudi was approx 10 mm in length and was found in less than 5 m depth. Sorry the quality of the photo isn't fantastic

Locality: Tulamben, <5m, Bali, Indonesia, Easter, 2007, volcanic sands. Length: 10mm. Photographer: Peter Eyre.

Peter Eyre

pete_eyre@yahoo.com

Dear Peter,

This is Phestilla minor, a small aeolid which lives on and feeds on species of the coral Porites. If you look at the species Fact Sheet you will see links to information on species that feed on coral. The little sausage-shaped packages in your photo are egg masses laid by the Phestilla. It has a remarkably brief egg and larval stage, and once settled out of the plankton, baby slugs can be laying eggs within a week.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Nov 20). Comment on Unknown nudibranch from Bali by Peter Eyre. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22811

Factsheet

Phestilla minor

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