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Roboastra gracilis
(Bergh, 1877)
 
Roboastra gracilis
Maximum size:  13 mm (Bertsch & Johnson, 1981).

Identification:  This species has a dusky orange body marked by interrupted bright orange lines. The gills, cephalic tentacles, rhinophores and foot are tipped with purple.

Natural history:  Roboastra gracilis is a rare species known from only a few animals found in moderately exposed to highly exposed rocky habitats between 3 and 9 m (10 and 29 ft). An 8 mm animal laid an arc-shaped, orange egg mass that hatched in five days in the laboratory.

Distribution:  Maui, Oahu, French Frigate Shoals and Midway: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific.

Taxonomic notes:  It was first recorded in Hawaii at Makua, Oahu by Scott Johnson on June 1, 1980.

Photo:  CP: 8 mm; Maliko Bay, Maui; April 19, 2008.

Observations and comments:

Note 1:  ( )
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