A new recorded species has been discovered in Dongsha Atoll National Park — Ercolania subviridis, commonly known as the pale green sacoglossan sea slug. Measuring only 0.2–0.3 cm in length, it inhabits filamentous algae. The research team led by Assistant Professor Chiu Yu-wen from the Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology at Kaohsiung Medical University believes that this discovery extends the known global distribution of the species further south.

　　According to Professor Chiu’s research team, Ercolania subviridis was first described in 1959 by Japanese scholar Professor Kikutarō Baba. In September 2011, this new record was documented on filamentous algae on Dongsha Island. Although Ercolania subviridis resembles another species, Placida dendritica, it can be distinguished by a small red, heart-shaped marking located at the anterior end of the pericardial area.
The pale green sacoglossan feeds on filamentous algae, using its shoe-shaped radula to pierce the algal cell walls and suck out their contents. Through branching digestive ducts, it distributes chloroplasts throughout the surface of its body and retains the ability to perform photosynthesis.

　　Due to the island’s geographic isolation, Dongsha’s organisms are able to persist in relatively undisturbed natural environments. Its location also allows marine organisms from both northern and southern regions to converge here via ocean currents, enriching the biodiversity of Dongsha’s waters. The establishment of the national park further enhances the protection of species and their habitats.