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Smaragdinella calyculata
(Broderip & Sowerby, 1829)
 
Smaragdinella calyculata
Maximum size:  13 mm shell length.

Identification:  This species has a flattened shell with a greatly expanded aperture and low spire. The animal is dusky green flecked with white.

Natural history:  Smaragdinella calyculata is a common species in the high intertidal in rocky habitats (occurring higher than any other Hawaiian opisthobranch). It can be found at highly protected to exposed sites both on rocks and overhanging tree limbs. It is nocturnally active, feeding on micro-algae growing on the rocks or limbs while the tide is low. It lays a flap-like, pale yellow egg mass that's attached by one edge.

Distribution:  Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Nihoa: widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific.

Taxonomic notes:  This species is referred to as the "calyx bubble shell" in Hoover, 1998 & 2006. Smaragdinella viridis (Rang, 1871) is a synonym (Kay, 1979) and it is listed under that name in Pilsbry, 1921 and Edmondson, 1946. It was probably first reported from Hawaii in von Martens, 1871.

Photo:  CP: 10 mm: found by Darcy Kehler; Hekili Point, Maui; May 20, 2008.

Observations and comments:

Note 1:  ( )
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