We had this as Polybranchia orientalis, but it appears to be the recently described P. samanthae. It has been found in the Marshalls at Kwajalein, Enewetak and Majuro Atolls. Color of our specimens varies from the green to a light brown. It lives under rocks on lagoon and seaward reefs at depths of 1 to at least 20 meters. Two measured specimens were 28 and 43mm in length.
[NOTE: The 2016 version of this page referenced in Medrano et al (2018) can be found here. The current page has been updated to reflect the new species names from the Medrano reference.]
Below are a couple of specimens showing more brown color.
I have to wonder how many of these I pass by without seeing.
Specimens were fairly common during the summer of 2016
Another specimen was photographed at Majuro Atoll by John and Lynette Flynn.
Created 2 February 2007
Updated 11 April 2021