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Additional Photos

side

on hydroid

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Caloria indica (Bergh, 1896)

Maximum size: 35 mm (Kay,
1979).
Identification:
This
species
has a translucent-orange body. The cerata have white tips
with subapical yellow and cobalt-blue bands. The cephalic tentacles
have white tips and there are white lines running from the bases of the
cephalic tentacles to the bases of the rhinophores. Behind the
rhinophores, the white lines diverge again on the top of the head. The
rhinophores have orange tips and white medial bands. The orange tips on
the rhinophores, the divergent white lines behind them and the lack of
red lozenges on the sides of the body distinguish the species
from Caloria
sp. #3.
Natural history:
Caloria indica is
a moderately common species found in moderately exposed to
highly exposed rocky habitats at depths of 2-18 m (6-60
ft). It appears to be generally diurnal but we've also seen it actively
foraging at night. If
feeds on the introduced hydroid Pennaria
disticha.
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui and Oahu: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific.
Taxonomic notes:
This
is
the species listed as Caloria
militaris (Alder and Hancock, 1866) in Kay, 1979 and Bertsch and
Johnson, 1981. It's referred to as the "Indian nudibranch" in Hoover,
1998 although the photo is of Flabellina
exoptata. It's illustrated in the inset photo under F. exoptata in Hoover, 2006 and
corrected in the 5th printing. Some
authors list it as Phidiana indica.
It
was
first reported from Hawaii in Baba (1969).
Photo: PF:
Honokohau, Maui; Aug. 5, 1994.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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