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Additional Photos
underside
side
head
"tail"
pale
shell
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GALLERY
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Unidentified Haminoeid #3
Maximum size: 2.3 mm
(excluding "tail").
Identification:
The
shell
of
this
species is very thin, transparent and without spiral
striae. Cream and brown rosettes show through the shell. The posterior
edge of the head shield forms a pair of elongate, bi-lobed crests
tipped with cream. Rarely, the dark pigment may be largely absent.
Natural history:
Unidentified
haminoeid #3 is a rare species at moderately exposed to exposed rocky
sites in depths of as little as 1 m (3 ft). However, it is sporadically
common in Halimeda kanaloana
beds where we have found it in samples from 9-17 m (30-56 ft). The
"tail" is highly contractile and is used by the animal to attach to
algae. It lays spherical, white to light yellow egg masses anchored in
algae. The eggs hatch in about three days in the laboratory.
Distribution:
Big Island and Maui: widely distributed in the western & central Pacific.
Taxonomic notes:
It was first
recorded
in
Hawaii
from Kapalua Bay, Maui by CP on May 27, 1997.
Photo: CP:
about 2 mm (- "tail"): Airport Beach, Maui; Aug. 7, 2002.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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