These specimens match the recently described Facelina rhodopos. There is some disagreement about the generic placement, but Gosliner et al (2018) state that this has the cerata specialized for copulation as found in Pruvotfolia. Most of the photos were taken in Kwajalein Atoll, both on the leeward seaward reef at night and on lagoon reefs and pinnacles under rocks during the day. They are most often found under rocks that are partly overgrown with Millepora fire coral, which appears to be their food source. We have seen specimens ranging up to about 40mm long. We have seen additional photos of this species from Majuro Atoll.
We used to think they were uncommon, but now know they can be found regularly if you look under rocks that are partly overgrown with Millepora. At first we thought they may just be eating hydroids that are often found around the coral, but are now convinced they are eating the fire coral itself. The following four photos show animals on Millepora. There were two of the eolids (only one shown) on the white tracks of dead coral skeleton in the colony of fire coral immediately below.
The next two shots show specimens with their egg masses, deposited directly on the Millepora. The first shot also shows light-colored patches where it looks as though the fire coral may have been grazed.
The 25mm specimen below was the first one observed at Enewetak Atoll on 12 May 1983.
Several specimens have been observed at Majuro Atoll, the first one below by John and Lynette Flynn and the second by Ken Cone and Beth Van Zummeren.
Created 8 January 2007
Updated 13 April 2021