Pseudoceros E
photos 1,4: Cory Pittman, Kapalua Bay, Maui. < 16 ft. Size: about 20 mm.
photos 2,5: Cory Pittman, Kapalua Bay, Maui. < 14 ft. Size: about 25-30 mm.
photo 3: Rebecca Bicker, Maalaea Bay, Maui, at 22 near Halimeda.

At first glance the two worms in photos 1 and 2 appear quite different; careful examination reveals many similarities. They are probably the same species.

Smaller specimen (photo 1): Background color finely reticulated gray brown speckled with evenly spaced white dots and irregular pale cloudy areas; a series of irregular white median spots form a discontinuous longitudinal stripe. Inner marginal band wide, golden-brown; outer band narrow, dark brown with yellow edge. Irregular white transverse streaks interrupt the dark outer band. Pseudotentacles are two simple folds, dark brown with white between.

Larger specimen (photo 2): Background color finely reticulated brown speckled with evenly spaced white dots and spots; a series of diffuse white spots medially. Inner marginal band wide, golden-brown; outer band narrow, dark brown with yellow edge. Irregular white transverse streaks interrupt the dark outer band. Pseudotentacles are two simple folds. Marginal bands continuous across pseudotentacles.

Photo 3, by Rebecca Bicker, matches photo 2 fairly well except for the base color.

Karolle Wall has posted additional photos here, and photos by Robert Johnson of a worm that is similar but not exactly the same, are posted on Keoki Stender's website.

BACK to mottled or speckled with marginal bands
BACK to mottled or speckled