First Record of Corallivorous Nudibranch Pinufius (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) in the South China Sea: A Suspected New Species of Pinufius

A corallivorous nudibranch from the South China Sea reproduced explosively and caused extensive damage to Porites in our aquarium. In this study, morphological molecular analyses of were conducted described. Morphologically, was nearly consistent with Pinufius rebus its characteristics intermediate between arminids aeolids. The only detected difference that hook-like denticles on masticatory border P. absent nudibranch. a analysis, phylogenetic results based cytochrome oxidase subunit-I, 16S rRNA, histone H3 gene sequences showed form well-supported sister clade under superfamily Fionoidea, significant interspecific divergence (0.18). Thus, we presumed is new species Pinufius. Our extend distribution Sea, support current taxonomic status imply composition more complex than previous records. Moreover, as nudibranch, potential threat coral health cannot be neglected.