Trapania miltabrancha Gosliner & Fahey, 2008

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

* Trapania miltabrancha Gosliner & Fahey, 2008 Figure 14A, B

Material examined.

Three specimens 8-25 mm, LB.

Ecology.

Among colonies of Didemnid tunicates in soft sediment habitats. Depth 12-15 m.

Distribution.

Known only from Indonesia ( Gosliner and Fahey 2008) and Japan ( Uyeno and Nagasawa 2012). Here representing a first record for Thai waters

Remarks.

While known to be predators of Entoprocta ( Gosliner et al. 2018), the present individuals were all found directly upon Didemnum molle tunicate colonies in soft sediment habitats. While active feeding could not be confirmed, it is of interest to note that all 12 individuals recorded were initially found crawling upon the tunicates and not upon the benthos which may indicate the presence of a prey source associated with the tunicates but feeding investigations were not carried out.

Figures

Figure 14. A, B Trapania miltabrancha 25 mm (A) two specimens on Didemnum molle (B) C Dendrodoris coronata 30 mm (photograph by Kirsty Magson) D Dendrodoris krusensternii 45 mm E Dendrodoris elongata 29 mm F Dendrodoris fumata 55 mm G Dendrodoris nigra 16 mm H Dendrodoris tuberculosa 88 mm I Phyllidia coelestis specimens 25 - 35 mm J Phyllidia elegans 45 mm (photograph by Pau Urgell Plaza) K Phyllidia exquisita 30 mm L Phyllidia ocellata 60 mm.