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Additional Photos
side
young
grasping hydroid
with probable eggs
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Unidentified Facelinid sp. #21
Maximum size: 5-6 mm.
Identification:
The
body
of
this animal is cream, densely blotched with brown and with scattered
white flecks. A transparent band decorated with iridescent white flecks runs backward from the rhinophore base on each side.The
rhinophores
are
smooth with brown blotches, white flecks and irregular white tips. The cephalic
tentacles are blotched with brown apically and basally. The cerata are blotched with brown and have iridescent white
flecks. Their tips are pale bluish-white and they have orange subapical bands.
There are dusky-blue patches on their dorsal surfaces below the orange
bands and red/brown spots in their bases.
Natural history:
Unidentified
Facelinid sp. #21 is known from several animals found on a hydroid (on
which it, presumably, feeds) under ledges at a highly exposed,
rocky site. It probably lays an irregular, white egg string.
Distribution:
Oahu.
Taxonomic notes:
This
species was originally listed as "unidentified aeolid #21," then
reinterpreted as a juvenile Caloria sp. #1 due to its similarity in
color to that species. With better photos, it appears to be "something
else" but the family remains uncertain (could be Fionidae?). It was first recorded in Hawaii
from Pupukea, Oahu by Laura Blackshaw
on July 27, 2008.
Photo: Shera Chee Mercer: 5-6 mm: Pupukea, Oahu; Aug. 25,
2023.
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