Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   branchia detail   rhinophore detail   side   underside   young, about 7 mm   on food sponge _______________   GALLERY	Aldisa sp. #1   Maximum size:  20 mm. Identification:  This is a finely papillate, orange-red animal with red gills tipped in white. The rhinophores and gills are bracketed by patches of iridescent violet and pale yellow pigment. It may be distinguished from Aldisa pikokai by its two crater-like depressions on the mid-notum (in contrast to three in the latter species). Natural history:  Aldisa sp. #1 is a moderately rare dorid found under rocks at moderately exposed to exposed rocky sites at depths of 4-8 m (13-26 ft). It probably feeds on a red-orange encrusting sponge. Twice, we've found it next to blood-red, spiral egg masses in the field. Distribution:  Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai:  (Note 1) Taxonomic notes:  It was first recorded in Hawaii at Makua, Oahu by Scott Johnson on Feb. 15, 1978. Photo:  CP: Makena Landing, Maui; Aug. 2, 2002. Observations and comments: Note 1:  This species appears to be part of a complex that's widely distributed in the Pacific. However, determining whether the Hawaiian population is endemic or also occurs elsewhere will require more work.
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