Avaldesia tamatoa Donohoo & Gosliner, 2024
32mm

This recently described species is variable in color. Several of the specimens figured below were used as type material in the original description, including the first three photos that show the holotype. Most of these were found in lagoon Halimeda patches at depths of 7-10m, but several have been seen under rocks on shallow lagoon reefs.

The three photos below show the lighter colored 3 April 2011 specimen. This is a paratype from the original description.

An image captured from video shows the thin tendrils rising from the dorsum.

The specimen below was found at Kwajalein on the night of 30 August 2008 in a Kwajalein lagoon Halimeda patch.

The next one was in a Halimeda algae patch on a Kwajalein lagoon reef on 13 October 2013. This is a paratype from the original description.

The next three photos show a 10mm animal found under a rock on 18 February 2013 on a lagoon reef. This is a paratype from the original description.

The one below was in a lagoon Halimeda patch on 27 May 2008.

The one below is from a lagoon Halimeda patch on 3 December 2012.

This one from 14 February 2016 had a lot more white and very distinct white dorsal papillae.

This one was under a rock on a lagoon reef just north of Bigej Island, Kwajalein Atoll, in about 6m of water.

Created 23 February 2008
Updated 9 February 2024

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