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Additional Photos
side
head shield
eye spot
2nd animal
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Noalda sp. #1
Maximum size: about 10 mm.
Identification:
This
species
has a translucent-cream body densely flecked with opaque white. It has a
thin, largely internal shell. A dorsal foramen in the posterior portion of the mantle reveals
part of the shell.
There's a
blunt "tail" on the right side.
Natural history:
Noalda
sp. #1 is known from two animals, one found on sand at about 6 m (19 ft)
and the other on algal turf at about 10 m (33 ft). Both were actively
crawling, by day, at moderately
exposed sites.
Distribution:
Maui and Oahu: may be widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. (Note 1)
Taxonomic notes: This species is very similar to "Noalda sp. 1" in Gosliner, et. al. (2018). It was first
recorded in Hawaii from the west shore of Oahu by Roney Rodrigues and Damaris Torres-Pulliza on Sept. 3, 2022.
Photo: Rebecca Bicker: 4-5 mm: Maliko Bay, Maui; Sept. 8, 2022.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: Assuming it's the same as "Noalda sp. 1" in Gosliner, et. al. (2018)--DNA could split them.
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