Discodoris lilacina (Gould, 1852)

Discodoris lilacina is common throughout much of the Indo-Pacific. We do not see it often here, probably because it tends to live in shallower water than we typically dive. It is usually found under rocks on intertidal and shallow subtidal reefs. We have seen 17 specimens, and all but one were in less than 4 meters of water. Eleven measured animals ranged from 14 to 85mm in length. This species has a habit of autotomy, or shedding a portion of its mantle margin when disturbed. The first four photos were taken under a concrete slab along the lagoon shore of central Kwajalein Island at a depth of about 1m.

The underside shows scattered brown spots.

The remaining specimens were photographed on a lagoon reef of Enewetak Atoll.

Created 15 December 2006
Updated 3 October 2008