Smaragdinella calyculata (Broderip & G. B. Sowerby I, 1829)

Description

A small bubble-like opisthobranch with a dull green background colour and fine white spots scattered across the body — a cryptic colour pattern that blends in with the algae growing on rocks. The head shield is broad and shovel-like at the front; the eyes and rhinophores are reduced.

Distribution

Originally described from material taken around Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific. Subsequently recorded broadly across the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific.

Etymology

The specific epithet calyculata derives from the Latin calyculus ("small cup"), in reference to the small cup-shaped shell.

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References

• Bulla calyculata n. sp., Broderip W.J. & Sowerby G.B. I (1829). Observations on new or interesting Mollusca contained, for the most part, in the Museum of the Zoological Society. Zoological Journal. 4: 359-379.
• みどりがひ（新名）, 岩川友太郎(編). (1919). 日本産貝類標本目録.
• Oskars T.R., Too C.C., Rees D., Mikkelsen P.M., Willassen E. & Malaquias M.A.E. (2019). A molecular phylogeny of the gastropod family Haminoeidae sensu lato (Heterobranchia: Cephalaspidea): a generic revision. Invertebrate Systematics 33(3): 426-472.