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Additional Photos
underside
side
large, about 30 mm
rhinophores
extra rhinophores
interrupted line
wide line
white-lined
young
on food sponge?
mating
with eggs
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GALLERY
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Thorunna kahuna Johnson & Gosliner,
2001
Maximum size: 30 mm (Gosliner,
et. al., 2008).
Identification:
This
species
is
translucent
pinkish-white with a magenta submarginal
line on the mantle that may be interrupted in some animals.
Occasionally, a narrow white line may be present inside the magenta
one. The
rhinophores have translucent pink stalks and orange-red clubs while the
gills are orange-red with translucent
pink bases. Rarely, they may have white tips. (see photo) It can be distinguished from Thorunna
daniellae by the prominent,
opaque-white mantle glands around
the posterior margin and, occasionally, in front of the rhinophores
(seen as distinct white granules). The latter species also has an
opaque white notum and the boundary between the orange and white
pigment on
the rhinophores is angled rather than straight.
Natural history:
Thorunna kahuna is
rare on Maui but more common on Oahu in rocky habitats at
moderately protected to
moderately exposed locations, often under silty
conditions. It is found at depths of 3-24 m (10-80 ft) and vibrates
its
gills. It feeds on the sponge Dysidea
sp. (Gosliner, et. al., 2008). It lays a cream egg mass.
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Midway and Kure.
Taxonomic notes:
This
species
was
listed
as Babaina
daniellae in Bertsch and
Johnson, 1981 and as Thorunna
sp. in Hoover, 1998. It was first recorded in
Hawaii at Magic Island, Oahu by Scott Johnson on Nov. 13, 1977. The
name is from the Hawaiian word for
“healer” in reference to
the visible mantle glands that may one day be found to contain
chemicals that might aid in the treatment of disease. It's referred to
as the "pink-tinged Thorunna"
in Hoover, 1998 and as the "kahuna nudibranch" in Hoover, 2006.
Photo: CP: 14
mm: Mala Wharf, Maui; Dec. 9, 2004.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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