Microhedyle sp.
Order: ACOCHLIDEA
Suborder: MICROHEDYLOIDEA
Family: Microhedylidae
DISTRIBUTION
Species of Microhedyle are reported from the Atlantic coast of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Solomon Islands and the Great Barrier Reef in the Western Pacific. A species is also reported here from Guam.
PHOTO
The specimen shown is 5.5mm in length and came from the reef flat at Anae Island [SW Guam], April 1972. PHOTO: Clay Carlson.
These are minute animals which are found living in the spaces (interstices) between sand grains and thus form part of the "interstitial fauna". The phylogenetic relationships between the various interstitial opisthobranchs is still unclear because many are very reduced in size and possibly similarities in anatomy and life history may reflect adaptations to their size and habitat rather than a close evolutionary history. At present we can't be sure of the distribution of most species because they have only been looked for by a small number of dedicated workers willing to sort through vast quantities of sand.
Authorship detailsRudman, W.B., 1998 (October 8) Microhedyle sp. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/micrhedy
