Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   underside   side   rhinophores   branchia   dark   pale   without red   trailing	Platydoris formosa (Alder & Hancock, 1864)   Maximum size:  about 150 mm. Identification:  This is a flattened, firm-textured, cream dorid intricately flecked with light brown and stained with red. The light brown flecks transition to dark brown on the rhinophore sheaths and the margin of the notum. The rhinophores are red and there are bright-red blotches on the underside. Some animals also have bright-red blotches on the notum. Rarely, the red staining may be absent or the brown flecks may be darker. Natural history:  Platydoris formosa is a moderately rare species found in tide pools and subtidally to 20 m (66 ft) at moderately exposed to highly exposed rocky sites. Mature animals sometimes trail each other in a manner reminiscent of Hypselodoris imperialis. (Note 1) It lays a pale orange egg mass that hatches in about eight days in the laboratory. Distribution:  Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. Taxonomic notes:  This species is referred to as the "speckled platydoris" in Hoover, 1998 & 2006 (deleted in 5th printing and restored in 2019 printing). It was first reported in Hawaii from Ala Moana, Oahu in Dec., 1961 (Kay & Young, 1969). Photo:  Andy Schwanke: Molokini Islet; May, 2005. Observations and comments: Note 1:  A pair of large animals found together appeared to show trailing behavior in a holding bucket. Scott Johnson also observed trailing in the field on June 2, 1984 off Makua Beach, Oahu as did Rebecca Bicker on Maui in May, 2021 (see photo).
	Thumbnails Species list Family Next species Top