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Additional Photos
side
dark branchia
underside
rhinophores
young, 6 mm
predator damage
on food sponge
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GALLERY
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Chromodoris aspersa (Gould, 1852)
Maximum size: 30 mm.
Identification:
This
dorid is elongate with a white body and foot covered
with magenta spots, most surrounded by a translucent ring. The
rhinophores are yellow-orange and the gills vary from pale yellow to
orange.
Natural history:
Chromodoris aspersa
is a commonly seen nocturnal species that may be found under rocks
during the day. It occurs from the low intertidal to 37 m (120 ft)
on rocky bottoms in protected to exposed
locations. This is one of the Chromodoris
species that deposits its eggs with the ribbon attached by its side
rather than its edge (Scott Johnson, pers. com.). It probably feeds on a thin, orange-red sponge.
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, French Frigate Shoals and Kure: widely
distributed in the Indo-Pacific.
Taxonomic notes:
This
species was listed as Chromodoris
lilacina (Gould, 1852)
in Kay, 1979, Kay & Young, 1969 and Bertsch & Johnson, 1981. The
name means
"sprinkled." It is referred to as the "purple-spotted nudibranch"
in Hoover, 1998 and the "lilac-spotted nudibranch" in Hoover, 2006. It
may have been first reported from Hawaii in Kay & Young, 1969.
Photo: PF: 19
mm: Makena Landing, Maui; May 11, 2008.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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