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Additional Photos
shell
egg mass
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Smaragdinella calyculata
(Broderip & Sowerby, 1829)
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
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).
Photo: CP:
found by Darcy Kehler; 10 mm; Hekili Point, Maui; May 20, 2008.
Observations and comments:
Note
1: ( )
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