Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   underside   side   front   lightly spotted   less iridescence with brown  young, 1.4 mm   on Avrainvillea _______________   GALLERY	Costasiella sp. #1   Maximum size:  4.5 mm. Identification:  This species has a white body flecked with opaque white and a mask-like black patch confined to the region behind the eye spots. Branches of the digestive gland in the cerata shade from dark green basally to light orange apically. The cerata are decorated with iridescent green to white flecks and have bluish tips. The rhinophores are white, often with slightly dusky bases. Rarely, there may be a touch of brown on the head. In mature animals the central cerata may become somewhat flattened but not to the extent seen in Costasiella fridae. The opaque-white flecks on the head and iridescent flecks on the cerata may also become less obvious in some mature animals. Natural history:  Costasiella sp. #1 is a moderately rare species found in moderately protected to moderately exposed rocky habitats at depths of  1-5 m (3-16 ft). Only one animal has been found in association with Avrainvillea amadelpha so it may have a broader diet than the other Hawaiian Costasiella spp. Distribution:  Maui, Oahu and Kauai: probably widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. Taxonomic notes:  It was first recorded in Hawaii from Hekili Point, Maui by CP on June 1, 1991. There is come possibility that it might turn out to be a diet or surge dependent form of Costasiella fridae. Photo:  CP: 3 mm: Maalaea Bay, Maui; Oct. 21, 2002. Observations and comments: Note 1:
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