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Additional Photos
central cerata
lateral cerata
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Mourgona sp. #5
Maximum size: about 5-8 mm.
Identification:
This
is a translucent-cream species. The large central cerata are moderately
inflated with small, marginal teeth and no visible branches of the
digestive gland. They are frosted with minute olive-green flecks and
decorated with a few opaque white blotches. The smaller lateral cerata
are more flattened with prominent "palm-like" branches of the digestive
gland. They have fewer olive-green flecks but more opaque-white
blotches. The head and rhinophores are frosted with minute olive-green
flecks that become denser on the distal portions of the rhinophores. The
rhinophores are tipped with white and the notum is flecked with green.
The cardiac sack has a comet-shaped white patch. The pattern of
pigmentation distinguishes it from Mourgona(?) sp. #3.
Natural history:
Mourgona sp. #5
is known from one animal found on algae (Cladophora catenata?) in a shallow, rocky habitat. The
central cerata were readily autotomized when it was handled.
Distribution: Maui.
Taxonomic notes:
It
was first recorded in Hawaii from La Perouse Bay, Maui by Karolle Wall
on Nov. 28, 2019. The genus is uncertain pending further work. There is
also some possibility that it falls within the range of variation of Mourgona(?) sp. #2.
Photo: Karolle Wall: about 5-8 mm; some central cerata autotomized: La Perouse Bay, Maui: Nov. 28, 2019.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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