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Additional Photos
parapodia
young, 7 mm
egg mass
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GALLERY
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Thuridilla carlsoni Gosliner, 1995
Maximum size: 25 mm.
Identification:
This is a relatively cryptic species with low parapodia that meet at
the midline without major folds. It may be distinguished by a
"leopard-like" pattern of green spots, a peach colored marginal band
and lime-green veins on the interior of its parapodia.
Natural history:
Thuridilla carlsoni
is a common plakobranchid found on shallow rocky bottoms. It occurs in
protected to moderately exposed locations
at depths of 1-3 m (3-10 ft). Mature animals are diurnally active. The
egg mass
is a moderately to tightly coiled, cream spiral. A
variable number of cream to pale orange longitudinal lines of
superficial pigment may be
present on the ribbon (usually visible only under
magnification). The eggs hatch in about six days in the laboratory.
Distribution:
Maui, Oahu and Kauai: widely distributed in the western & central
Pacific.
Taxonomic notes:
First recorded in Hawaii from Oahu by Scott Johnson in the 1980s. Named
after
naturalist Clay Carlson who first found the species in
Guam.
Photo: CP:
25 mm: Hekili Point, Maui; Oct. 16, 2004.
Observations and comments:
Note
1:
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