Plocamopherus maculatus (Pease, 1860)
Family Polyceridae

Plocamopherus maculatus (Pease, 1860) Family Polyceridae This pale, translucent slug exhibits little color except for some irregular patches of orange and yellow. It is nocturnal and according to Bertsch and Johnson the patches sometimes emit a bioluminescent glow when the animal is disturbed. Described from the Hawaiian Islands, the species has also been found in Sodwana Bay, South Africa. Debelius records it from Shark Bay, Western Australia. It probably feeds on bryozoans. This specimen was photographed in a cave at night at South Point, Hawai`i, the southernmost point in the United States. Depth was about 20 ft. (6 m.).

John P. Hoover lives in Honolulu. He has published two books on marine life of the Hawaiian Islands. His third (pictured at left), a field guide to the marine invertebrates of the Hawaii, will be available approximately May 1999. With over 600 photographs, it will cover 500 species, including 66 of Hawaii's most colorful and interesting opisthobranchs. Hawaii's Fishes, a Guide for Snorkelers, Divers and Aquarists Mutual Publishing, 1993 Hawaii's Underwater Paradise, Mutual Publishing, 1997 Hawaii's Sea Creatures, a guide to Hawaii's Marine Invertebrates. Mutual Publishing, 1999. John's books are available through Sea Challengers ! Send John E-Mail at hoover@hml.org

© The Slug Site, Michael D. Miller 1999. All Rights Reserved.

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