Chromodoris sp e006

This is an apparently undescribed species of Chromodoris that was not too uncommon at Enewetak Atoll and has also been found at Kwajalein. They usually live underneath dead coral rocks on lagoon reefs and pinnacles at depths of 4 to 15 meters. Of 31 specimens measured, the largest was only 15mm long. The slightly translucent orange red body allows us to see the shapes of the internal organs.

In this species, the marginal color around the anterior and posterior ends of adults is red at the edge with an orange submargin, the a wider white submarginal band that surrounds the entire body. The lateral margins tend to lose the red and orange at the edge, but may not as seen in the photos below.

Below are two specimens feeding on a pink sponge.

The individual below is a small juvenile. The dorsum does not turn deep orange red until the animal is larger.

The individual in the three photos below was found under dead coral on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon reef on 28 September 2008. Its orange margin is distinct and continuous around the entire animal.

Created 16 December 2005
Updated 23 October 2008