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Hypselodoris insulana
Gosliner & Johnson, 1999
 
Hypselodoris insulana
Maximum size:  50 mm.

Identification:  This Hypselodoris has an elongate, light tan to salmon pink body with many very fine, opaque-white longitudinal lines. A bright magenta line encircles the mantle margin and foot. The rhinophores are white with two orange bands and the gills are opaque-white with the outer two-thirds of the rachis deep orange. It is somewhat similar to Hypselodoris peasei but may be distinguished by its larger size, darker color, lack of blue-black spots on the notum and more numerous white lines.

Natural history:  Hypselodoris insulana has been found in silty areas of the Midway lagoon and on dock pilings inside the inner harbor at depths of 1-10 m (3-32 ft). The latter animals were on a blue sponge on which it may feed (Gosliner, et. al. 2018). Scott Johnson also reports it from 15 m (50 ft) at Kure.

Distribution:  French Frigate Shoals, Midway and Kure.

Taxonomic notes:  It was first recorded in Hawaii from the lagoon at Kure by Scott Johnson on June 14, 1979. The name means "islander," referring to its presumed geographical restriction to the leeward Hawaiian Islands.

Photo:  Terry Gosliner: Midway Atoll; May 30, 1993.

Observations and comments:

Note 1:  ( )
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