Pelagella felis (Baba, 1949)
Description
A small Goniodorididae, body length about 1 cm, with a body shape essentially identical to that of the related Goniodoris glabra. As in that species, two blunt processes occur on the dorsal midline — one between the rhinophores and one in front of the gills. Three bipinnate gills. Body surface greyish-white, with dark brown shadowing scattered on the dorsum, mantle margin, head, and body sides. The anterior mantle margin is chocolate-coloured. Rhinophores and gill leaflets dark brown. The tips of the dorsal blunt processes are dark brown. The sole is densely scattered with brown fine dots. No labial plate. Radula formula 33×1.1.0.1.1. Unlike the related Goniodoris glabra, the innermost lateral teeth bear a row of 15-20 small denticles along the side of the main cusp. The outer teeth are narrow and not claw-shaped.Distribution
Type locality is Hayama-Najima-Hiraiwa, Sagami Bay (intertidal, August 1939, single specimen). The original description records the species only from Sagami Bay.Etymology
The specific epithet felis is Latin for of the cat. The original description does not give an explicit etymology paragraph; the descriptive sense parallels the Japanese name "Sagami-koneko-umiushi" (Sagami kitten sea slug) and the close resemblance to Goniodoris glabra (= Japanese name "Koneko-umiushi").Remarks
Originally described as Goniodoris felis and later transferred to Pelagella. The shared "kitten" vernacular with Goniodoris glabra reflects external similarity, and the specific epithet felis aligns with this. The serrate inner lateral teeth (15-20 denticles along the side of the main cusp) distinguish this species from Goniodoris glabra and other congeners with claw-shaped outer teeth.References
- Pelagella felis (Baba, 1949), Baba K. (1949). Opisthobranchia of Sagami Bay collected by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan (相模湾産後鰓類図譜). Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo. 4+2+194+7 pp., pls. 1-50.
- サガミコネコウミウシ, 鈴木敬宇. (2000). ウミウシガイドブック〈2〉. TBSブリタニカ.
- サガミコネコウミウシ, 中野理枝. (2004). 本州のウミウシ. ラトルズ.
- サガミコネコウミウシ, 小野篤司. (2004). 沖縄のウミウシ. ラトルズ.
- サガミコネコウミウシ, 小野篤司 & 加藤昌一. (2009). ウミウシ. 誠文堂新光社.
A Kindle field guide by the site author
Kimoto N. (2026). Sea Slugs of Japan & the Indo-Pacific, 2nd Edition.
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Photos of Pelagella felis
Same Genus Nudibranchs
Similar Colors Nudibranchs
Academic Database
Sea slug observation data is available in international marine biodiversity databases.