This recently described aglajid is so far known in the Marshalls from three specimens. It is also known from the Philippines, Indonesia and the Red Sea. Marshall Islands specimens are overall lighter in color than those from farther west. Dorsal coloration more closely resembles similar species Spinophallus coronata, but the purple lines on the foot clearly match S. falciphallus. The first one here was found on 21 April 2008 at a depth of 8m in a Halimeda patch on Kwajalein's eastern lagoon reef. It measured 22mm in length. The second was found in the same general area on 16 November 2008. This specimen measured 30mm in length and was found building an egg mass. The first few shots show the first 22mm specimen.
The most distinctive colors on this specimen were on the bottom of its foot, with a maroon line down the foot bottom bordered by yellow spots and other maroon patches and streaks.
The next few shots show the 30mm specimen. In the first one, the animal is producing its egg mass.
The next two shots are closeups of the anterior and posterior ends. They show the orange spotting on the animal.
The third specimen was found in a Kwajalein lagoon Halimeda patch on 13 August 2011 and measured 22mm.
Created 23 June 2008
Updated 22 June 2020