Home
Acknowledgments
Conventions
Glossary
Maps
References
Links
Articles
Thumbnails
Species list
Family
Next species
_______________
 
Additional Photos
 

underside
 

young, 2.5 mm
 

shell
_______________
 
GALLERY



 
Acteocina sandwicensis
Pease, 1860
 
Acteocina sandwicensis
Maximum size:  8.2 mm (extrapolated from shell length).

Identification:  This species has a glossy white shell with faint spiral striae. The animal is translucent cream with white flecks.

Natural history:  Acteocina sandwicensis is a common burrowing species found in open sand and Halimeda kanaloana beds from 7 m (23 ft) to at least 18 m (59 ft). It is also occasionally found in sand patches in moderately protected to moderately exposed mixed habitats at depths of as little as 1 m (3 ft). Animals held in a sand-bottomed dish laid elongate, "question mark-shaped" egg masses. The largest measured 5 mm in length by 1 mm in width. They had sticky surfaces and acquired a strongly adherent coating of sand grains. Hatching may have occurred in as little as 2.5-3 days.

Distribution:  Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, French Frigate Shoals, Lisianski, Pearl & Hermes Reef and Midway: also recorded from French Polynesia.

Taxonomic notes:  The photo of this species in Kay, 1979 is mislabeled as Acteocina hawaiensis. Acteocina honoluluensis Pilsbry, 1917 is a synonym (Kay, 1979) and it is also listed under that name in Edmondson, 1946. It was first reported from Hawaii in Pease, 1860 (as Tornatina sandwicensis).

Photo:  CP: 4 mm: Black Rock, Maui; April 8, 2011.

Observations and comments:

Note 1:  ( )
Thumbnails
Species list
Family Next species Top