Culcita novaeguineae smooth form

Culcita novaeguineae is found in a variety of different habitats in the atoll, in coral reefs, in algae patches or even on sand. The ones living in algae patches and sandy areas are usually, but not always, much smoother and almost velvety to the touch. Dorsally, they pretty much lack the hard rounded or pointed bumps so characteristic of nearly all specimens found in reefs. They have all been considered Culcita novaeguinea, but sometimes we wonder if the two forms might actually be different. Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

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