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Samla
cf. rubropurpurata 
(Gosliner & Willan, 1991)
 
Samla cf. rubropurpurata
Maximum Size:  About 9 mm (estimated from photo).

Identification:  The body of this aeolid is bright violet, often with diffuse white patches on the margins of the notum. The cerata are orange with diffuse white basses and white subapical rings. The tips of the cerata are darker orange to violet. The cephalic tentacles are tipped with white and there are apical and medial white bands on the perfoliate rhinophores.

Natural History:  Samla cf. rubropurpurata appears to be a moderately rare species that is seldom seen due to its small size. It's been found crawling by day at exposed to highly exposed rocky sites at depths of 2-18 m (8-60 ft). It probably lays a faintly pinkish, kinked egg mass.

Distribution:  Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau: Samla rubropurpurata is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific.

Taxonomic notes:  This species was first recorded in Hawaii from Mahaiula Beach, Big Island by Paul Okumura on Aug. 6, 2009. It appears similar to photos of  Samla rubropurpurata from elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific but with enough differences in detail to suggest that it may prove endemic when DNA is checked. Some sources use Flabellina rubropurpurata.

Photo:  Dee Wescott: 3 to 6 mm: found by Allison Gordon; "aquarium," Big Island; Sept. 13, 2018.

Observations and comments:

Note 1:  ( )
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