Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California
Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 5 June 2008; 18mm total length.
Description: Ground color translucent whitish. Cerata lanceolate, translucent whitish, pale salmon or pale purple; with an opaque white line on lateral margin of each. Frontal veil bears a band of opaque white along anterior margin, and crest of tail bears a similar line medially. Rhinophores bear 16-20 lamellae; inner face of rhinophore shaft bears an opaque white line, starting just below clavus, passing down shaft, between rhinophores and up opposite shaft. Large individuals may have a few small opaque white flecks on body and cerata.
Size: Typically about 25mm in length, but individuals up to 180mm have been reported.
Notes: Feeds on bryozoans, hydroids, small crustaceans, sponges, barnacles, and tunicates, as well as the snails Margarites pupillus, Margarites helicinus, & Lacuna carinata.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 4 July 2008; 21mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 4 July 2008; 26mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 4 July 2008; 24mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 1 Aug 2008; 19mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 23 June 2009; 13mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 23 June 2009; 13mm total length.