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Additional Photos
underside
rhinophores
young, 16 mm
transitional
branchia
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Halgerda paliensis (Bertsch & Johnson, 1982)
Maximum size: 75 mm (Scott
Johnson).
Identification:
Young
specimens of this species have white bodies with yellow ridges and a
marginal white line. The white line is overridden by short, radial brown
lines and there is brown "frosting" in the pits between the ridges. The
branchia are lined with brown and tipped with white while the
rhinophores are brownish. As they mature, the radial brown lines and
brown "frosting" fade while the yellow expands from the ridges to fill
the pits between them. Mature animals are bright yellow with the
marginal white lines showing only faint interruptions where the radial
brown lines occurred.
Natural history: Halgerda
paliensis
is a moderately rare species that appears to be more common on Oahu than
Maui. On Oahu, Scot Johnson found mature animals under ledges or in
small caves in moderately exposed
to highly exposed rocky habitats at depths
of 3-20 m (10-66 ft). Young animals on Maui and the Big Island were
found in rocky habitats at 18 and 41 m (60 and 135 ft).
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai.
Taxonomic notes:
This
is the species listed as Sclerodoris
sp. in Bertsch and Johnson, 1981 and as
Sclerodoris paliensis in Hoover, 1998. It was first recorded in
Hawaii at
Makua, Oahu by Scott Johnson on April 13,
1977. It is referred to as the "pali nudibranch" in Hoover, 1998 &
2006. Young animals were formerly listed on this site as "Halgerda cf. elegans."
Photo: Scott Johnson: Pupukea, Oahu; Aug. 30, 1985.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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