Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California
Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 5 Jul 2008; ~80mm total length.
Description: Ground color pure white, occasional individuals may be very light dusty yellow or light brownish. Dorsum with numerous low, rounded tubercles of various sizes. Rhinophores white to very light dusty yellow,with 20-24 lamellae. Branchial plumes 7, tri- to quadripinnate, very finely divided, appearing quite feathery and delicate, white to very light yellow.
Size: A large species, typically 100mm in length, but may exceed 200mm in length.
Notes: Rare in the intertidal, more common subtidally. Feeds on several species of sponges.
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 5 Jul 2008; ~80mm total length.
N. Sunset Palisades, San Luis Obispo Co., CA; 16 Jul 1972; 36mm total length.
Monastery Beach, Monterey Co., CA; 28 Sep 1975; 30mm total length.
Carmel Bay, Monterey Co., CA; Jan 1974; 76mm total length.
Hopkin's Reef, Monterey Co., CA; 8 Dec 1974; 190mm total length.
Hopkin's Reef, Monterey Co., CA; 8 Dec 1974; 220mm total length.