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central cerata
 

lateral cerata





 
Mourgona
sp. #5
 
Mourgona(?) sp. #5
Maximum size:  about 5-8 mm.

Identification:  This is a translucent-cream species. The large central cerata are moderately inflated with small, marginal teeth and no visible branches of the digestive gland. They are frosted with minute olive-green flecks and decorated with a few opaque white blotches. The smaller lateral cerata are more flattened with prominent "palm-like" branches of the digestive gland. They have fewer olive-green flecks but more opaque-white blotches. The head and rhinophores are frosted with minute olive-green flecks that become denser on the distal portions of the rhinophores. The rhinophores are tipped with white and the notum is flecked with green. The cardiac sack has a comet-shaped white patch. The pattern of pigmentation distinguishes it from Mourgona(?) sp. #3.

Natural history:  Mourgona sp. #5 is known from one animal found on algae (Cladophora catenata?) in a shallow, rocky habitat. The central cerata were readily autotomized when it was handled.

Distribution:  Maui.

Taxonomic notes:  It was first recorded in Hawaii from La Perouse Bay, Maui by Karolle Wall on Nov. 28, 2019. The genus is uncertain pending further work. There is also some possibility that it falls within the range of variation of Mourgona(?) sp. #2.

Photo:  Karolle Wall: about 5-8 mm; some central cerata autotomized: La Perouse Bay, Maui: Nov. 28, 2019.

Observations and comments:

Note 1:  ( )
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