Although the basic color pattern of the Marshall Islands specimens pretty much matches the original description of Thorunna florens from Japan, the actual colors used in that pattern are somewhat different. It is possible, however, that the coloration within the species is sufficient variable that our specimens might be T. florens. The Marshall Islands specimens, all from Enewetak Atoll, were under rocks on lagoon reefs and pinnacles at depths of 2 to 10 meters, and 13 specimens ranged in length from 4 to 16mm. Gosliner et al (2018) figure this as Thorunna sp. 5.
The two specimens below are burrowing into their prey sponge, the light brown species at the bottom of the photo.
Created 3 January 2006
Updated 3 December 2018