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Additional Photos
side, detail
rhinophores
branchia
pair
egg mass
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Atagema sp. #3
Maximum size: about 25 mm.
Identification:
This
is a yellow species with violet internal "staining" and violet frosting
on the posterior edge of the rhinophores. The distal half of the
rhinophores may be decorated with white flecks and the notum may have submarginal, dendritic
violet lines. There is a line of minute white tubercles on the margin and the tubercles covering the notum are short and
blunt with stellate tips. The profile is high and the branchia
are symmetrical. The branchia may have a faint tinge of green/yellow and
there is no obvious mid-dorsal crest.
Natural history:
Atagema sp. #3
is known from four animals (two pairs) found at about 2 m (about 6 ft)
at moderately exposed sites. The first pair was found on an orange
sponge and the second on a cream sponge. Coiled, cream egg masses were found near both pairs. Both the
animals and egg masses had patchily adherent sand.
Distribution:
Maui: may be known from Papua New Guinea?
Taxonomic notes:
It
was first recorded in Hawaii from Maalaea Bay, Maui by Karolle Wall on
Nov. 16, 2022. There's some ambiguity about whether the original
description of Doris echinata (Pease, 1860) refers to the species we're calling Atagema echinata or this one.
Photo: Karolle Wall: about 25
mm: Kenolio Park, Maui; Nov. 11, 2023.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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