Thysanozoon or Acanthozoon D
photo: Robert Johnson, Kawaihae, Hawai'i. About 20 mm.

Robert Johnson writes: "Found by my wife, Jennifer Johnson, on 5/11/22 at Kawaihae on a night dive. Not more than 20mm long." The marginal pseudotentacles and bubble-like papillae suggest either the genus Thysanozoon or Acanthozoon. Unfortunately, these two genera cannot be identified from photos of the upper side alone.

There is nothing like this worm on the Newman & Cannon CD. However, Scott Johnson has posted photos of a very similar worm on his Underwater Kwajalein website. The Marshall Islands worm has only minor differences: white-tipped pseudotentacles and tiny white spots along the rim.

Update: Phil Peck found and photographed another of these at Kawaihae on 10/26/2023, also at night..

More images or sightings of this unusual worm would be welcome.

BACK to papillae