Pellasimnia annabelae Lorenz & Fehse, 2009
29.1mm
Considered
a common species elsewhere, only during the past few years have they been found
at Kwajalein. They blend in very well on their prey gorgonian, Annella mollis,
and they would probably turn out to be reasonably common if more gorgonians
were examined, particularly those 30m and deeper on the seaward slope. The first
two were found on the Kwajalein Atoll seaward reef, the first on a gorgonian
at 35m on 22 March 2010 and the second on another specimen of the same gorgonian
species at 38m on 28 March 2010. The first three shots show the first specimen
and the next four the second. A fair number have been seen since the first two.
Three in a line on a large gorgonian,
along with a small goby.
Camouflaged on gorgonian with the
coral polyps and mollusk papillae retracted.
When the gorgonian polyps are extended,
the shell's bumpy papillae make it more cryptic.
Created
31 March 2010
Updated 23 March 2020
Return
to ovulid list
Kwajalein Underwater home