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; 8 Jan 2009; 48mm total length.
Description: Ground color varies from light yellow to deep orange-yellow. Dorsum with numerous low, rounded tubercles. Dorsum bears many irregular blotches of brown to black which do not extend up onto the tubercles. Rhinophores yellow to yellow-orange, with 18-24 lamellae. Branchial plumes 6, tri- and quadripinnate, greyish-white, tipped with opaque white. May be distinguished from the similar Doris montereyensis which has 7 yellow to orange branchial plumes, and in which the brown to black pigment on the dorsum does not extend up onto the tubercles.
Size:Typically 35mm in length, but may exceed 200mm.
Notes: Feeds on several species of sponges such as: Halichondria panicea, Haliclona permollis, Hymenamphiastra cyanocrypta, Lissodendoryx firma, Mycale spp., Myxilla spp., Paresperella psila, & Zygherpe hyaloderma.
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 8 Jan 2009; 48mm total length.
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 26 Oct 2007; ~75mm. total length.
Carmel Point, Monterey Co., CA; 31 July 2007; 23mm total length.
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 18 Feb 2008; 16mm total length.
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 26 Oct 2007; 75mm total length. Close-up of rhinophore.