Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   underside   rhinophores   pale   dark   young, 1.8 mm   on food sponge   mating?   egg mass _______________   GALLERY	Geitodoris sp. #3   Maximum size:  21 mm (estimated to 35 mm in field). Identification:  This is a moderately soft, papillate species that ranges from pale cream to orange. Dark pigment forms leopard-like spots on the notum but varies in intensity. The notum and rachis are variably flecked with white and one to four white patches may be present on the sides of the notum. (Note 1) The rhinophores have small white tips. Natural history:  Geitodoris sp. #3 is a common dorid found in the low intertidal at protected to moderately exposed locations. Occasionally, it may also be found subtidally to depths of 1 m (3 ft). Large animals sometimes "vibrate" their rhinophores rhythmically while crawling. It feeds on a peach-colored encrusting sponge and lays an orange egg mass with a variably ruffled edge. The eggs hatch in about six days in the laboratory. Distribution:  Maui, Oahu and Kauai: probably known from Japan. Taxonomic notes:  This appears to be the species listed as Thordisa hilaris Bergh, 1905 in Kay, 1979, Kay & Young, 1969 and Bertsch & Johnson, 1981. It was first reported in Hawaii from Fort Kamehameha, Oahu in July, 1962 (Kay & Young, 1969). It may ultimately turn out to be something other than a Geitodoris sp. Photo:  CP: 21 mm; Hekili Point, Maui; Nov. 7, 2006. Observations and comments: Note 1:  We've observed animals with and without obvious spotting paired with each other in the field. Of  particular note was a pair observed on Oct. 8, 2010 at Hekili Point. One of the animals was light tan with lateral white patches and obvious dark flecks. The other was larger, dark yellow-orange and without lateral white spots or obvious dark flecks. The latter animal was visibly vibrating it's rhinophores while the former wasn't. Both were resting near a typical egg mass.
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