Corallivorous snails: first record of corallivory by Ergalatax junionae (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the Persian Gulf

Ergalatax junionae is a muricid gastropod endemic to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Following a coral bleaching event in the Persian Gulf in 2007, E. junionae was observed feeding in large numbers on local corals, notably species of Porites and Platygyra . Hitherto, it was unknown what E. junionae fed on but it is not known if this is a record of an opportunistic event or if this muricid is a corallivore as with some congeners.