Thysanozoon or Acanthozoon 3
Scott Johnson. Pupukea, O`ahu. Size: 22 mm

ID from Newman & Cannon CD, where this photo appears along with 8 others that vary somewhat in appearance. Description from the CD: "Background body colour dark red to orange, sometimes mottled with white dots. Dorsal papillae elongate with black tips. Rim with white dots forming irregular clusters.... Generic determination uncertain."

The genera Acanthozoon and Thysanozoon are similar, differing mainly in the number of male pores. As these pores are on the underside, it is impossible to determine the genus from ordinary photos.

The animal is rare and is known from Indonesia, Japan, Micronesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, and Hawai`i.

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