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Additional Photos
pale
side
young, 5.5 mm
probable egg mass
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GALLERY
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Godiva sp. #1
Maximum size: 35 mm (Gosliner,
et. al., 2008).
Identification:
This species has a translucent-cream body frosted with orange-brown
flecks and with white patches that show blue iridescence in strong
light. The cerata are numerous and slender with red-brown bases. They
are frosted with cream apically and have one or more iridescent blue
bands. Young animals have far fewer cerata and more white pigment on
the cephalic tentacles.
Natural history:
Godiva sp. #1 is a
rare aeolid on Maui found in Halimeda
kanaloana beds at depths of 10-12 m (33-39 ft). However, on Oahu
and Midway it has
also been recorded from floating docks (thermal pollution tables at
Coconut Island) and more exposed rubble habitats
at depths up to 20 m (66 ft). (Gosliner, et. al, 2008). It
appears
to be diurnally active and "flares" its cerata when disturbed. It lays
an irregular, 'kinked" spiral egg mass that varies from pale pink to
white, probably during the course of development.
Distribution:
Maui, Oahu and Midway.
Taxonomic notes:
It was first reported from Hawaii in Zahl (1959).
Photo: Scott
Johnson: about 16 mm: Pupukea, Oahu; Aug. 19, 1985.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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