Elysia ornata is either quite variable or there are a number of similar species. In the Marshalls, there are several that could be this species, or they could all be variations. The animal below fits the description of E. ornata pretty well, except it mostly lacks the white spots on its body. This variety of Elysia ornata has been found in the Marshalls at Kwajalein and Enewetak Atolls.
The specimen below, found on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon pinnacle at a depth of 6m on 5 January 2009, seems to have more typical coloration.
The specimen in the two photos below was found on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon reef under a rock in 6m of water on 9 March 2009.
The following two shots show a darker specimen found on Halimeda algae growing on the edge of a floating dock in Kwajalein Harbor on 13 July 2009.
The next one was in a lagoon algae patch on 15 August 2011.
We also have E. ornata from Hawaii.
Created 2 February 2007
Updated 26 August 2011