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Additional Photos
dark branchia
underside
young, 6 mm
predator damage
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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.).
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui, Oahu, 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 and Bertsch and Johnson, 1981. The name means
"sprinkled." It is referred to as the "purple-spotted nudibranch"
in Hoover, 1998 & 2006. It was first reported from Hawaii in Gould,
1852.
Photo: PF: 19
mm: Makena Landing, Maui; May 11, 2008.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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