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Additional Photos

pale

underside

young, 4 mm

extended cerata

on hydroid

egg masses

veligers

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Catriona sp. #1

Maximum size: 20 mm.
Identification:
This
is
a translucent-cream aeolid frosted with bluish white. The
rhinophores are closely spaced with translucent-white tips and,
sometimes, translucent-orange bases. The cerata have brown cores and
bluish white
tips with subapical orange rings. It differs from the similar appearing
Aeolidiella indica in lacking
obvious cnidosacs in the tips of its cerata.
Natural history:
Catriona sp. #1 is
a rare aeolid known from only four animals. All were found in
association
with the introduced hydroid Pennaria
disticha in silty Halimeda
kanaloana beds at depths of 8-10 m (26-33 ft). In a dish, one
animal showed a strong preference for resting on the hydroid and clung
tenaciously to it. It was observed feeding on the stalks of the
hydroid, though it ignored the polyps. Several pale pink, arc-shaped
egg masses were attached
to the base of the P. disticha
colony when it was collected and the animal subsequently laid several
comparable masses in a dish. The egg masses swelled during
development and one hatched in about five days in the laboratory.
Distribution:
Maui: also known from Guam, South Africa and French Polynesia.
Taxonomic notes:
First
recorded
in Hawaii from Maalaea Bay, Maui by CP on May 5, 2008.
Photo: CP: 15
mm: Maalaea Bay, Maui; May 5, 2008.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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