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Additional Photos
side
underside
on sand
cerata autotomized
pair on alga
food alga
egg mass
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GALLERY
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Hermaea sp. #1
Maximum size: 7 mm.
Identification:
This
is
a nearly transparent animal flecked with cream and light brown.
Olive-brown branches of the digestive gland show through the cerata.
There is usually a red-brown patch behind the eye spots on the left
side of
the head and the rhinophores have tapered tips.
Natural history:
Hermaea sp. #1 is
a moderately common species found at protected to moderately exposed
rocky sites and in Halimeda kanaloana
beds at depths of < 1 to 11 m (< 3 to 36 ft). It is most numerous
in protected, back-reef habitats where it can be found, often in large
numbers, in patches of a small, plumose red alga. We've observed it
feeding on that alga in dishes. It shows a diurnal activity
pattern when held and lays a white, arc-shaped egg mass (usually on its
host alga). The eggs hatch in about three days in the laboratory.
Distribution:
Maui, Kauai and Midway.
Taxonomic notes:
This
animal is listed as "Stiliger
sp.
7" in
Gosliner, et. al., 2008. It was first recorded in Hawaii
from Hekili Point, Maui by CP on Aug. 3, 1991.
Photo: CP: 4
mm: Mala Wharf, Maui; Dec, 9, 2004.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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