Phestilla viei

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Phestilla viei
Phestilla viei (MNHN-IM-2000-28508) 002.jpeg
Phestilla viei laying a distinctive linear trail of crescent-shaped egg masses on its host coral Pavona explanulata
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Cladobranchia
Superfamily: Fionoidea
Family: Trinchesiidae
Genus: Phestilla
Species:
P. viei
Binomial name
Phestilla viei
Mehrotra, Caballer & Chavanich, 2020

Phestilla viei is a species of coral-feeding sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, from the family Trinchesiidae, described in 2020. It has been identified as a sister species of Phestilla fuscostriata based on DNA barcoding using the COI gene. [1] The genus Phestilla currently includes nine recognized species, [2] eight of which are obligate corallivores, with each particular species predating on only one species or genus of coral. [3] Its distribution is restricted to the Indo-Pacific Ocean. [4]

Contents

Background

Nudibranchs, an order of opistobranchs or sea slugs, are a diverse group of marine gastropods known for their bright coloration and unique morphologies. Present in all oceans worldwide, they typically occur in shallow, coastal waters. True to their name, nudus meaning “naked” in Latin and βράγχια (bránkhia) meaning “gills” in Ancient Greek, this group of sea slugs is characterized by its exposed gills. Nudibranchs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with lengths varying between 40 centimeters and only a few millimeters. The characteristic colorization derives from the presence of specific pigments, the chromophores. Some species possess specialized structures called cerata that are used for defense and sometimes have stinging cells (cnidocytes). Generally, nudibranchs are carnivorous and their specialized radula enables them to feed on a variety of prey, including sponges, hydrozoans, bryozoans, and various species of coral. Nudibranchs are an important part of marine ecosystems, and they can serve as bioindicators for the health of an ecosystem, as many nudibranchs are sensitive to changes in environmental parameters and pollution. The family of nudibranchs contains approximately 3,000 species and boasts a high level of biodiversity, which still continues to expand with respect to the number of species thanks to new genetic taxonomic analyses. [5]

Biology

Phestilla viei has an elongated body that is translucent white to pale yellow dorsally and pale brown laterally, measuring up to 28 mm in length. It features translucent white, smooth, and relatively short rhinophores. Its oral tentacles are translucent white with brown markings, smooth, and 1.5 times the length of its rhinophores. The corners of its foot are broad, tapering gently toward the end. This species is characterized by a pericardium with a distinctive bulbous “hump,” sometimes repeated at regular intervals along the dorsum. Its cerata are translucent white with brown pigmentation, which is caused by aggregations of unicellular dinoflagellate (known colloquially as zooxanthellae), and are held laterally, giving it a very flattened appearance. The gonopore is located on the right side below the first ceratal pedunculate row. Anal papilla are situated between the first and second postcardiac ceratal rows. The jaws of this species have smooth cutting edges, featuring broad teeth that lack a central cusp, with 8–12 denticles on each side of the median area. [4]

Ecology

Distribution

Although Phestilla viei was first described as a new species in Koh Tao, Thailand, [6] matching records of this species have been identified from the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans in Indonesia, [7] Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. [8]

Habitat

Phestilla viei is found only in marine habitats, spending its entire life at the bottom of the ocean. These nudibranchs can be observed year-round, exclusively on their host coral Pavona explanulata in coral reef habitats. The animals are found at depths ranging from 7 to 21 meters with no indication of seasonal variation. They are most easily observed at the head of the distinctive linear trail of crescent-shaped egg masses (each mass containing 80–120 eggs) on freshly devoured coral. Their camouflage, mimicking the surface area of the Pavona corals, sets them apart from other Phestilla species. This species has been observed holding its cerata in a characteristic S-shape or at right angles, which maximizes its cryptic ability on the host coral. [4]

Diet

These sea slugs feed exclusively on Pavona explanulata, a species of encrusting coral that commonly develops massive and sub-massive irregular domes. They acquire much of their coloration due to dense aggregations of zooxanthellae in their tissues, which are taken from their coral host, although they do not appear to use the newly acquired zooxanthellae for the purpose of photosynthesis, as several species of sacoglossan sea slugs do (a practice known as kleptoplasty). The genus Phestilla feeds on corals by secreting enzymes that dissolve the coral’s exoskeleton, thus allowing them to consume the soft tissue of the coral polyp. Their specialized radula helps them scrape away the remains of the hard skeleton. [4]

Reproduction

Like all sea slugs, Phestilla viei are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have male and female reproductive organs and can produce gametes associated with both sexes. This particular species has a penis measuring roughly 800 μm in length, which is embedded in a sheath and lacks a stylet. However, a penile gland or penile bulb is absent. The female gland mass measures around 2 millimeters in length and is attached to the ampulla, which in turn is connected to the oviducts. The oviducts terminate in the vagina. During spawning, eggs are laid in coiled, translucent ribbons containing around 80 to 120 eggs each. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nudibranch</span> Order of gastropods

Nudibranchs are a group of soft-bodied marine gastropod molluscs that shed their shells after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given colourful nicknames to match, such as "clown", "marigold", "splendid", "dancer", "dragon", and "sea rabbit". Currently, about 3,000 valid species of nudibranchs are known.

<i>Aeolidia papillosa</i> Species of gastropod

Aeolidia papillosa, known as the common grey sea slug, is a species of nudibranch in the family Aeolidiidae.

<i>Nembrotha lineolata</i> Species of gastropod

Nembrotha lineolata is a species of nudibranch, a sea slug, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Polyceridae. It is found in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific. It was first described in 1905 by the Danish malacologist Rudolph Bergh. The type locality is Selayar Island, Indonesia.

<i>Trinchesia speciosa</i> Species of gastropod

Trinchesia speciosa, common name the "candy nudibranch", is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Trinchesiidae.

<i>Doto coronata</i> Species of mollusc

Doto coronata is a species of small sea slug or nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Dotidae. It is the type species of the genus Doto.

<i>Phyllodesmium horridum</i> Species of gastropod

Phyllodesmium horridum, the coral nudibranch, is a species of sea slug, specifically an aeolid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.

<i>Pteraeolidia ianthina</i> Species of gastropod

Pteraeolidia ianthina is a sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch in the family Facelinidae. It is known as a blue dragon, a name it shares with Glaucus atlanticus and Glaucus marginatus.

Phyllodesmium pecten is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.

<i>Berghia</i> Genus of gastropods

Berghia is a genus of sea slugs, aeolid nudibranchs. They are shell-less marine gastropod molluscs in the family Aeolidiidae. They are covered in cerata which give them their unique tentacle look and color. Berghia are commonly found in shallow waters and their diet consists of strictly Aiptasia Anemone. This genus is now commonly used commercially to fight off Anemone populations in fish tanks.

<i>Phestilla</i> Genus of gastropods

Phestilla is a genus of sea slugs, aeolid nudibranchs, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Trinchesiidae.

<i>Doto escatllari</i> Species of gastropod

Doto escatllari is a species of sea slug, a nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Dotidae.

Anteaeolidiella saldanhensis, is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch. It is a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Aeolidiidae.

<i>Anteaeolidiella lurana</i> Species of gastropod

Anteaeolidiella lurana, is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Aeolidiidae.

<i>Spurilla neapolitana</i> Species of gastropod

Spurilla neapolitana, the Neapolitan spurilla, is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Aeolidiidae. It is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. This species was first described as Eolis neapolitana by the Italian naturalist Stefano delle Chiaje in 1841. However, although some authorities quote the year as 1823, the species does not appear in the first volume of delle Chiaje's memoirs, which was published that year. The species was later reassigned to the genus Spurilla.

<i>Aeolidia loui</i> Species of gastropod

Aeolidia loui is a species of sea slugs, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Aeolidiidae. It has been regarded as the same species as the NE Atlantic Aeolidia papillosa but is now known to be a distinct species. Common names include shaggy mouse nudibranch, and shag-rug nudibranch.

<i>Phestilla lugubris</i> Species of gastropod

Phestilla lugubris is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trinchesiidae.

<i>Phestilla minor</i> Species of gastropod

Phestilla minor is a species of sea slug in the Trichechidae family. It is a type of aeolid nudibranch under the Aeolidina suborder. Phestilla minor is a benthic sea slug that is a very small, slow-moving organism found in marine habitats all over the world.

Phestilla panamica is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trinchesiidae. The species feeds on the hard coral genus Porites.

<i>Baeolidia variabilis</i> Species of gastropod

Baeolidia variabilis is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Aeolidiidae found in the Philippines, the Marshall Islands and Papua New Guinea, central Indo-Pacific Ocean.

<i>Phyllodesmium poindimiei</i> Species of gastropod

Phyllodesmium poindimiei is an Alcyonacea feeding, aeolid nudibranch Gastropod belonging to the family Facelinidae. Cerata are important in this clade in terms of their physical defense and efficient metabolic processes. This species is spread sporadically along tropical coastal regions such as Australia, Hawaii, and the Indo-Pacific living in diverse marine habitats such as coral reefs. Unlike other species in the Opisthobranch Mollusca clade, P. poindimiei’s lush pink cerata are used for defensive purposes other than Nematocyst (dinoflagellate) capture and toxin release. Organismal ties within these thriving, tropical ecosystems can be determinants of environment change, which affects massive coral ecosystems. Continuously changing marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are directly linked to the evolution of organisms that live and thrive in the tropics such as the soft nudibrach P. poindimiei.

References

  1. ↑ Juntong Hu; Yanjie Zhang; Sam King Fung Yiu; James Yang Xie; Jian-Wen Qiu (2020-01-01). "A New Species of Predatory Nudibranch (Gastropoda: Trinchesiidae) of the Scleractinian Coral Goniopora". Zoological Studies. 無 (59): e62. doi:10.6620/ZS.2020.59-62. PMC   8181160 . PMID   34140979.
  2. ↑ "Molluscabase". www.molluscabase.org. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  3. ↑ Faucci, Anuschka; Toonen, Robert J; Hadfield, Michael G (2007-01-07). "Host shift and speciation in a coral-feeding nudibranch". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 274 (1606): 111–119. doi:10.1098/rspb.2006.3685. ISSN   0962-8452. PMC   1679885 . PMID   17134995.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Mehrotra, Rahul; Arnold, Spencer; Wang, Adam; Chavanich, Suchana; Hoeksema, Bert W.; Caballer, Manuel (June 2020). "A new species of coral-feeding nudibranch (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from the Gulf of Thailand". Marine Biodiversity. 50 (3): 36. doi:10.1007/s12526-020-01050-2. ISSN   1867-1616. S2CID   255618099.
  5. ↑ Chavanich, Suchana; Viyakarn, Voranop; Sanpanich, Kitithorn; Harris, Larry G. (2013-03-01). "Diversity and occurrence of nudibranchs in Thailand". Marine Biodiversity. 43 (1): 31–36. doi:10.1007/s12526-012-0141-4. ISSN   1867-1624. S2CID   255575584.
  6. ↑ Mehrotra, Rahul; Gutiérrez, Manuel A. Caballer; Scott, Chad M.; Arnold, Spencer; Monchanin, Coline; Viyakarn, Voranop; Chavanich, Suchana (2021-06-09). "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): 73–188. Bibcode:2021ZooK.1042...73M. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1042.64474 . ISSN   1313-2970. PMC   8208966 . PMID   34163291.
  7. ↑ Fritts-Penniman, Allison L.; Gosliner, Terrence M.; Mahardika, G. Ngurah; Barber, Paul H. (March 2020). "Cryptic ecological and geographic diversification in coral-associated nudibranchs". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 144: 106698. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106698 . PMID   31812568. S2CID   208956785.
  8. ↑ M., Gosliner, Terrence (2008). Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs : a field guide to the world's most diverse fauna. Sea Challengers Natural History Books. ISBN   978-0-9700574-3-3. OCLC   918273755.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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