Tubulophilinopsis sp. e454a
24mm

Originally we had this animal under Tubulophilinopsis reticulata. That is still possible, but it seems more slender than our other T. reticulata and approaches in appearance what we consider a form of T. gardineri. It seems that some of these aglajids are so variable in color that it will take more than photos of a few specimens to properly sort them out. Considering the difference in color and shape, we are keeping these separate until the relationships can be better worked out. The specimen below found on 24 November 2008 on a shallow lagoon reef.

A similar color form was found on 12 August 2011 on a Kwajalein lagoon algae patch in about 8m of water. It measured 24mm.

Another 24mm specimen with similar color was found in the same area as the last on 3 September 2011.

The next one was found on sand in a Kwajalein lagoon Halimeda patch on 8 April 2012. Its pattern more closely approaches Tubulophilinopsis reticulata, adding more evidence that they are color forms of the same species.

Created 25 September 2011
Updated 22 June 2020

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