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Additional Photos
![](../thumbnails/Pleurobranchidae-un-sp3-fs.jpg)
1st animal
![](../thumbnails/Pleurobranchidae-un-sp3-bs.jpg)
underside
![](../thumbnails/Pleurobranchidae-un-sp3-cs.jpg)
side
![](../thumbnails/Pleurobranchidae-un-sp3-hs.jpg)
acid glands
![](../thumbnails/Pleurobranchidae-un-sp3-gs.jpg)
slightly contracted
![](../thumbnails/Pleurobranchidae-un-sp3-es.jpg)
with flash
![](../general/spacer.jpg)
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Unidentified Pleurobranchid #3
![Unidentified Pleurobranchid #3](../photos/Pleurobranchidae-un-sp3-a.jpg)
Maximum size: about 28 mm.
Identification:
This
is a pale-peach animal that may appear white in ambient light. It has a
weakly pustulate notum and may be distinguished from Berthella pellucida by its lack of translucent-white reticulation. It has prominent acid glands in its notum.
Natural history:
Unidentified
pleurobranchid #3 is
known from two animals found in caves at 6-8 m (20-25 ft).
Distribution:
Big Island.
Taxonomic notes:
Perhaps, this is a third Berthellina sp.? (Note 1) Alternatively, there's a chance that it might turn out to be a very pale Berthelina delicata. It was first recorded in Hawaii at "Kei Kei Caverns," Kohala Coast, Big
Island by David Rafalovich on Aug. 1, 2013.
Photo: Marketa Murray: about 20 mm: Kohala, Big Island; Dec. 11, 2020.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: The pleurobranchid shells listed as "un. sp. #2" could turn out to be from this species. However, with multiple candidates, that will require further work for confirmation. | |