Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context: 

Two new wart sea slug species, Phyllidia ovata and Phyllidia fontjei, were discovered in North Sulawesi by women scientists from Germany, Indonesia, and Wales.

What are Sea Slugs?

• Sea slugs are marine invertebrates belonging to the class Gastropoda.
• They include nudibranchs, which are soft-bodied, colorful mollusks lacking a protective shell in their adult form.
• Sea slugs breathe through structures called cerata or gills, depending on the species.
• These creatures are known for their bright colors and toxic chemical defenses, which they use as a deterrent against predators.
• Many sea slugs feed on sponges, hydroids, or other sea slugs, and some retain toxins from their prey for defense.
• Some species of sea slugs also exhibit kleptoplasty, where they retain chloroplasts from algae they eat and perform photosynthesis.

New Discovery: Wart Sea Slugs from Indonesia

• Two new species of wart sea slugs (genus Phyllidia) have been discovered in North Sulawesi, Indonesia:
• Phyllidia ovata
• Phyllidia fontje
• These discoveries were made by five women scientists from Germany.
• The new species add to the known marine diversity of the Indo-Pacific region, which is one of the richest marine biodiversity hotspots in the world.
• The study of these species helps in understanding ecological interactions and the biogeographic patterns of nudibranchs.  

ALSO READ- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/sea-slugs

Source: blog.pensoft.net