| Gold lace nudibranch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Halgerda terramtuentis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Family: | Discodorididae |
| Genus: | Halgerda |
| Species: | H. terramtuentis |
| Binomial name | |
| Halgerda terramtuentis Bertsch & Johnson, 1982 [1] | |
The gold lace nudibranch (Halgerda terramtuentis) is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks in the family Discodorididae. [2]
Founded by Bertsch and Johnson in 1982, the Halgerda terramtuentis has an opaque white slug-like physique. [3] The body’s morphology includes a flat jelly-like texture, and solid yellowish-gold lines running throughout the mantle; located also at the edge of the muscular foot. [4] Their gills are of a whitish hue with black detailing similar to spots. [3] Additionally, the prominent white pustules emerge where the lines consistently cross. [4] The Nudibranch’s length ranges from 15 mm to 50 mm long. [3]
The Halgerda terramtuenti are hermaphrodites that mate within combat of one another. [5] The disadvantaged Nudibranchi’s mantle is then penetrated with reproductive material from the victor. [4] Following the life cycle, they lay groups of eggs coated in yellowish mucus, that develop into veliger larvae and subsequently, full-grown adults capable of reproduction. [6]
In Eastern Central Pacific, the Halgerda terramtuentis is endemic to five major Hawaiian islands: Hawaiʻi, Maui, Lanaʻi, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi; including the remote islands of Niʻihau and the French Frigate Shoals. [6] These sea slugs are found five to thirty meters underwater near overhanging rock foundations and underwater caves. [7] [8]