Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   side   rhinophores   cerata   orange young   with egg mass	Spurilla braziliana MacFarland, 1909   Maximum size:  26 mm. Identification:  This is a large aeolid with a tan body and greenish to brownish cerata decorated with white spots. Rarely, it may be tinged with orange. Its cerata have prominent cnidosacs in their tips. It may be distinguished from other Hawaiian aeolids by its perfoliate rhinophores. Natural history:  On Maui,  Spurilla braziliana is a rare species found in shallow rocky habitats. However, it may be more common in protected habitats on Oahu. It lays a white egg mass composed of a "slinky-like" spiral ribbon deposited in a spiral patch on the underside of a rock. Distribution:  Big Island, Maui and Oahu: also known from Japan, Costa Rica and the western Atlantic. (Note 1) Taxonomic notes:  This species is listed in Gosliner, 1980 and Kay, 1979 as Spurilla neapolitana. It was first recorded in Hawaii from Kewalo Basin, Oahu by Terry Gosliner in Nov., 1972. Photo:  Mike Severns: 26 mm: found by PF; Maliko Bay, Maui; Oct. 6, 1987. Observations and comments: Note 1:  Given that the genus appears to be predominantly Atlantic in distribution (based on Carmona, et. al., 2013), perhaps the Pacific populations are introduced?
	Thumbnails Species list Family Next species Top