Lyncina leviathan (Schilder & Schilder, 1937)
Leviathan cowry, 80mm

Lyncina leviathan is relatively common in Hawaii, most often found in ledges and caves, often along rough coastlines. The wall along the shoreline east of the Halona Point Blowhole is a good place to see them. At night, the mottled black and translucent mantle bearing numerous branching papillae helps it blend in well with its surroundings. The branching, brush-like papillae help distinguish this species from its smaller relative, Lyncina carneola, which has flattened papillae that are slightly branched or serrated at the tips. L. carneola also occurs in Hawaii, but rarely.

Even juvenile specimens have the characteristic brush-like papillae.

Below, a Lyncina leviathan (left) is next to a smaller L. sulcidentata.

We have also seen Lyncina leviathan in the Marshall Islands.

Created 25 July 2010

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