Thecacera pacifica (Bergh, 1884)

(Figure 23 I –J)

Material examined. Three specimens. MHN-YT1349, NKA, 13 Jun. 2014, 19m, 15mm; MB28-004 909, NKA, 13 Jun. 2014, 18m, 9mm; MB28-0 0 4962, ZSC, 28 Jan. 2015, 21m, 18mm.

Habitats. Subtropical rocky reefs and tropical coral reefs.

Occurrences. Zavora, Nacala and Nuarro.

Geographic distribution. Indo-west, central Pacific. Hawaii, Japan, Vanuatu, Philippines, Indonesia (Gosliner et al. 2008), Australia (Nimbs et al. 2016), Red Sea (Gosliner et al. 2008), South Africa (Gosliner 1987) and Mozambique (Macnae & Kalk 1958 as T. inhacae).

Remarks. The two specimens found in northern Mozambique exhibit additional bluish-black stripes posterior to the gill and on the lateral dorsum (Fig. 22 D). The other specimen from the south lacks these stripes, and matches Bergh’s description (1883). Additional stripes appear to be merely a colour variation, but further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.