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Additional Photos
2nd animal
on Halimeda
front
branchia
mating
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Thecacera pacifica Bergh, 1883
Maximum size: 20 mm.
Identification:
This
is
a
translucent-orange
animal
decorated with black bands shading
into
electric-blue and white. It has prominent processes flanking the
branchia and rhinophores. There are sensory organs beneath the
rhinophores similar to those in Tambja morosa.
Natural history: In sandy habitats, Thecacera pacifica
is known from only a few animals found at 8-18 m
(25-60 ft). Some were crawling on sand, others on debris or Halimeda kanaloana. It has also been found in moderately protected to moderately exposed rocky habitats at 2-6 m (7-20 ft).
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific; also
recorded from the
Gulf of Mexico.
Taxonomic notes: It was first
recorded
in
Hawaii
from Kihei, Maui by Andy Schwanke on Mar. 24,
2004.
Photo: PF:
St. Anthony wreck, Maui; Sept. 2, 2006.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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