Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California

Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz

Doris montereyensis Cooper, 1863
Monterey Sea-lemon
Mollusca: Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Doridina: Eudoridoidea: Dorididae
Geographic Range: Kachemak Bay, AK, to San Diego, CA. Synonyms: Archidoris montereyensis.
Back to: Doridina Back to: Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area
Doris_montereyensis_1_0002
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 26 Oct 2007; ~34mm total length.

Description: Ground color variable, light yellow to dark orange. Dorsum with numerous low, rounded tubercles of various sizes. Dorsum bears many irregular blotches of brown to black which extend up onto the tubercles. Rhinophores yellow to orange, with 20-30 lamellae. Branchial plumes 7, tri- to quadripinnate, yellow to orange.May be distinguished from the similar Peltodoris nobilis which has 6 greyish-white branchial plumes which are tipped with white, and in which the brown to black pigment on the dorsum does not extend up onto the tubercles.
Size: Typically 25mm in length, but may exceed 150mm.
Notes: Feeds on several species of yellow sponges.

Doris_montereyensis_2_0015
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 26 Oct 2007; ~26mm total length.
Doris_montereyensis_3_0023
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 23 Dec 2007; 37mm total length.
Doris_montereyensis_4_0046
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 9 Apr 2008; 27mm total length.
Doris_montereyensis_4-0045.jpg
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 9 Apr 2008; 27mm total length. Close-up of rhinophore.
Doris_montereyensis_7_0071
Scott Cr., Santa Cruz Co., CA; 26 Apr 2009; 28mm total length.
Doris_montereyensis_6_0061
Scott Creek, Santa Cruz Co., CA; 10 Dec 2008; ~18mm total length.

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