_______________
Additional Photos
underside
few spots
feeding
trio, in situ
egg mass
_______________
GALLERY
|
Chromodoris decora (Pease, 1860)
Maximum size: 20 mm.
Identification:
This
species can vary in pattern but can usually be
identified by its translucent body with a
white median line that bifurcates midway along the notum to form a "Y"
that circles around the gills. Another white line forms a loop around
the median line. There is a marginal orange band and the notum is
decorated with large purple
spots. Mantle glands can often be seen
around the margin beneath the orange border. The rhinophores and gills
are cream.
Natural history:
Chromodoris decora
is a common species although it is seldom seen due to its small size
and nocturnal habits. It may be found in tide pools and from the low
intertidal to 10 m (32 ft) on protected to exposed rocky
bottoms. Scott Johnson reports it feeding on a jet black sponge in
Hawaii (pers. com.).
Its
egg mass is pale orange and each egg is associated with a small cap of
dark orange extra-capsular yolk.
Distribution:
Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, French Frigate Shoals and Kure: widely
distributed in the western and central Pacific.
Taxonomic notes:
The
name means "pleasing." It's referred to as
the "decorated nudibranch" in Hoover, 1998 & 2006 and was first
reported from Hawaii in Pease, 1860.
Photo: PF: 11
mm: found by CP; Napili Bay, Maui; May 6, 1993.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
|
|
