Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   other views   2nd animal?	Murphydoris sp. #4   Maximum size:  about 5 mm. Identification:  This animal is similar in form to Murphydoris puncticulata. However, the brown markings are proportionately larger and more widely spaced. Unlike in M. puncticulata, the larger brown markings are formed of continuous pigment rather than clusters of dots. Natural history:  Murphydoris sp. #4 is known from one animal found at about 1.5 m (5 ft) at a moderately exposed site. It was crawling in the open at night. A possible 2nd animal was photographed, by day, in shade at a depth of about 2 m (7 ft). Distribution:  Big Island: may be widely distributed in the Pacific. Taxonomic notes:  It was first recorded in Hawaii at Puako, Big Island by Pam Madden on Sept. 29, 2024. A comparable animal is illustrated as a separate species ("Goniodoridella sp. 7") in Gosliner, et. al (2018). Others appear on i-Nat, mostly labelled as M. puncticulata. It's possible that it could ultimately be confirmed as a color form of that species. However, the difference in how the brown markings are formed argues for splitting, at least with regard to the Hawaiian populations. (Note 1) Photo:  Pam Madden: about 5 mm: Puako, Big Island; Sept. 29, 2024. Observations and comments: Note 1:  A possible 2nd animal has spotting that is proportionately larger than in typical M. puncticulata. But, whether it's an M. sp. #4 or an atypical specimen of that species is ambiguous...
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