Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   cerata detail   underside   pale   resting cluster   young, 3 mm   mimicry model?   egg mass _______________   GALLERY	Cyerce elegans Bergh, 1870   Maximum size:  40 mm. Identification:  This species is translucent cream to dusky brown. (Note 1) The broad, pillow-like cerata are edged with cream flecks and often show an iridescent internal green spot under some lighting conditions. When examined closely, the cerata are divided into sections by a network of transparent vein-like lines. However, some animals, particularly juveniles, may lack visible lines. Natural history:  Cyerce elegans is a common species found in Halimeda kanaloana beds at depths of 10-18 m (33-59 ft). On Maui it only rarely occurs in rocky habitats at depths of 4-5 m (13-16 ft). However, Scott Johnson reports it as more common in such habitats on Oahu. It's nocturnal but may be found under pieces of rubble/debris or nestled at the bases of the alga during the day, often in pairs or clusters. (Note 2) We've observed it feeding on Halimeda kanaloana and Halimeda discoidea in dishes. (Note 3) It lays a cream, spiral egg mass (usually on its host alga) and the eggs hatch in about seven days in the laboratory. Distribution:  Maui and Oahu: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. Taxonomic notes:  ( ) Photo:  CP: 14 mm; dark: Airport Beach, Maui; April 2, 2003. Observations and comments: Note 1:  An animal found on Oct. 25, 1997 was held in an aerated, lidded bucket without food for six days. Over that period, it changed from translucent cream to dusky brown developing a frosting of minute brown flecks. A second animal found on Nov. 18, 1997 and held under similar conditions showed a comparable change. Whether they were responding to darkness, lack of food or something else hasn't been determined. Other animals held with food and light haven't shown a similar change. Note 2:  When resting motionlessly at the base of its host alga, this species appears very similar to a small clump of  a species of  red alga (Martensia fragilis?) that frequently grows on the bases of the Halimeda and has blades similar in size to the cerata of the Cyerce (see photo). Perhaps, it gains some protection from predators by mimicking it? Note 3:  A young animal held from Nov. 3, 2004 till Dec. 6, 2004 grew from 3 mm to 5 mm. However, it was fed primarily on Halimeda discoidea, perhaps a less than optimum diet since it's usually associated with H. kanaloana.
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