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Additional Photos
underside
side
front
parapodia
young, 2.6 mm
egg mass
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GALLERY
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Thuridilla sp. #3
Maximum size: 10 mm (an uncollected
animal was estimated in the field at "about 20 mm.")
Identification:
This
species has a translucent-gray body decorated with white, chrome
yellow and velvet black spots. Clusters of black spots define scallops
on the sides of the parapodia and the rhinophores are tipped in brick
red. There is an irregular white marginal line on the parapodia
that's overridden by yellow spots.
Natural history:
Thuridilla sp. #3
is a moderately common
species found in
moderately protected to moderately exposed rocky areas at depths of 1-8
m
(3-26 ft). However, it's rare at depths over 3 m (10 ft). It may be
seen resting in the open both by day and
night but we've only observed it crawling actively in late afternoon,
suggesting that it may be crepuscular. The egg mass is a variably
coiled orange spiral with evenly spaced dark orange granules of
extra-capsular yolk running down the center of the ribbon. The eggs
hatch in about 5 days in the
laboratory and the granules of extra-capsular yolk
remain in the ribbon after hatching.
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui, Oahu & Kauai.
Taxonomic notes:
It was first
recorded in Hawaii from Hekili Point, Maui by CP in Sept., 1990.
Photo: CP:
6.5 mm: Hekili Point, Maui; May 1, 2004.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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