Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   underside   clean shell   rhinophores   young, about 20 mm   shell	Umbraculum sp. #1   Maximum size:  65 mm. Identification:  This is a moderately large species with a broad, cap-shaped external shell covering the center of the notum. The mantle has small, relatively simple tubercles and its color is uniform bright yellow. Shells of large animals are usually overgrown with algae and remnants of a hairy periostracum may be present around their margins. They are less heavily calcified than the shells of Umbraculum sp. #2 and Umbraculum sp. #3. (Note 1) Natural history:  Umbraculum sp. #1 is a rare nocturnal species. Five of the six live animals recorded were found in tide pools at moderately exposed sites. The sixth was found at about 4 m (13 ft) in a similar habitat. It probably feeds on sponges and lays a large, frilly egg mass similar to that of other Umbraculum spp. (Note 2) Distribution:  Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai(?): widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. (Note 3) Taxonomic notes:  This species is lumped with Umbraculum sp. #2 and Umbraculum sp. #3 as Umbraculum sinicum (Gmelin, 1791) in Kay, 1979 and as Umbraculum umbraculum in Hoover, 1998 & 2006. It's referred to as the "umbrella shell" by Kay and  the "umbrella slug" by Hoover in that context. However, it seems likely that it's a distinct species based on its smaller, simpler tubercles; less heavily calcified shell and uniform yellow color. All three characters appear to be consistently associated with each other in photos from throughout the Indo-Pacific. Based on shell calcification and tubercle form, it's probably more closely related to the Umbraculum population found in the Eastern Pacific (also likely distinct) than to the other Indo-Pacific and Atlantic forms. (Note 4) Pilsbry, 1917 states that "Umbraculum sinicum aurantiacum (Pse.) which Mr. Thaanum has taken at Hilo, appears to be sufficiently distinct from U. sinicum by characters of the shell to warrant a subspecific name." The name suggests that it might refer to this species but Umbraculum sp. #3 is also a possibility. The shells labelled U. sinicum in Morris, 1974 and Tinker, 1958 may be this species but  their assignment is ambiguous. Photo:  CP: 65 mm: tide pool; Napili Bay, Maui; Dec. 12, 2004. Observations and comments: Note 1:  The shell illustrated here (see photo) showed moderately strong red fluorescence under ultraviolet light (395 nM), mostly on its interior surface. Some juvenile shells identifiable only to "Umbraculum sp." also showed a hint of red fluorescence.   Note 2:  It's been photographed elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific laying a yellow egg mass. Note 3:  There is little variation in color or tubercles throughout its range from Hawaii to Reunion. Note 4:  The Eastern Pacific population has a uniform background color in any particular animal and a lightly calcified shell. However, its background color is variable and its tubercles are tentacular (particularly in young animals). The Atlantic population has very large, cauliflower-like tubercles and a moderately calcified shell.
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