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Additional Photos
side
underside
lined
gray
white
rust
pink spots
shell
egg mass
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GALLERY
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Niparaya cf. regiscorona (Bertsch, 1972)
Maximum size: 4 mm.
Identification:
This
small species is usually translucent brown intricately flecked
with darker brown and cream. However, the color is variable, ranging
from light brown with dark brown reticulation to gray with white
flecks. Occasional animals may be mostly white or have pink spots on
the notum. The surface is tuberculate although the tubercles vary
considerably in development. There are usually a few enlarged
tubercles on the posterior tip of the head shield. Most animals have
rust-orange bands on the interior of the parapodia.
Natural history:
Niparaya cf. regiscorona
is a moderately common species found at depths of 1-6 m (3-20 ft) in
moderately
protected to exposed rocky habitats. It lays a small, somewhat
irregular white egg mass. Hatching occurs in about three days in the
laboratory.
Distribution:
Maui, Kauai and Midway.
Taxonomic notes:
It
was first
recorded in Hawaii from Hekili Point, Maui by CP on June 2, 1991. The
Hawaiian population is probably different from the Western Pacific and
Eastern Pacific populations formerly included with it under the name Aglaja regiscorona.
(Zamora-Silva & Malaquias, 2017) There's some chance that one or
more of the color forms could also turn out to be different.
Photo: CP:
3.8 mm: Hekili Point, Maui; May 1, 2004.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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