Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   underside   green   brown   subtidal   papillae   young, 5 mm    shell   egg mass _______________   GALLERY	Dolabrifera dolabrifera (Cuvier, 1817)   Maximum size:  40 mm. Identification:  This is a flattened sea hare with parapodia closely appressed to the body and two small apertures on the posterior portion. The rhinophores and cephalic tentacles are small and it is variously mottled in brown, red and olive green. There are short, sometimes branching, papillae on the notum. (Note 1) Natural history:  Dolabrifera dolabrifera is a common species found in the low intertidal and tide pools in rocky areas. It occurs at protected to exposed locations. Occasionally, it may be found subtidally to depths of 9 m (30 ft), usually at more exposed windward sites. It's a nocturnal sea hare that lays egg masses composed of a flattened egg string attached to the bottom of a rock in a tight, zig-zag pattern. Distribution:  Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, French Frigate Shoals and Midway: circumtropical. Taxonomic notes:  The shell drawing in Kay, 1979 is probably of a juvenile shell from Petalifera lafonti, instead of this species. It's referred to as the "common sea hare" in Hoover, 1998 & 2006. It was first reported from Hawaii in Pease, 1860 (as Dolabrifera olivacea). There's a small chance that subtidal animals with more elaborate papillae might be distinct. Photo:  CP: red: 30 mm: Ulua Beach, Maui; March 31, 2006. Observations and comments: Note 1:  The less common subtidal animals seem to have more elaborately branched papillae. (see photo).
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