OKINAWAN
OPISTHOBRANCH OF THE WEEK
Phaneropthalmus smaragdimus (Ruppell & Leuckart, 1831) 45mm
Opisthobranch of the Week Data
Taxonomy:
- Order: CEPHALASPIDEA
- Family: Smaragdinellidae
Frequency on Okinawa:
Collection Data:
- Individual Collection No: RFB #2910
- Location: Onna Flats, 1.5km WSW Onna Village, Okinawa (26o29.2'N, 127o50.4'E) [all indiv. collected from the same site]
- Date: 20 January, 1992 [11 Dec 89, 30 Jan 91, 20 Jan 92]
- Depth: Intertidal [Intertidal]
- Water temperature at collection depth: Not recorded; air temperature
ca. 64oF (18oC)
- Size: TL 45mm [only 3 of 14 indiv. were measured: 36mm, 38mm, 45mm]
- Specimen deposited: RFB Personal Research Collection
[brackets indicate range for all Okinawa-collected specimens of the species]
Species Account:
Phaneropthalmus smaragdimus is considered to be common on Okinawa, although my experience is to have collected specimens only at the above locality. I've collected 14 individuals in the same habitat during the early hours (12:15 ~ 02:00am) of three low, minus Spring tide "reef walks". In all instances the animals were found crawling on top of fine silty-sand supporting dense growths of Thalassia testudinum (Turtlegrass).
Copyright © 1999 Robert F. Bolland
Digitally manipulated photo
