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; 6 Feb 2009; 15mm total length.
Description: Ground color light red to dark crimson, occasionally yellow-orange to yellow-green; dorsum with small tubercles, and sprinkled with very minute dark brown to black dots. With 1 or 2 large black spots on median line of dorsum, one just posterior of rhinophores and the other just anterior of branchial plumes, one or both spots may be absent, especially in small individuals. Large individuals may have patches of yellow to yellow-green laterally on either side of the dorsum, about two thirds of the distance from anterior end, and also posterior of branchial plumes. Rhinophores reddish, with about 12-15 lamellae. Branchial plumes 8-10, unipinnate, light red to crimson.Can be distinguished from the similar Rostanga pulchra which has distinctive rhinophores with vertical lamellae; and lacks the two large, round black spots on median line of the dorsum; and appears fuzzier on the dorsum.
Size: Typically about 15-25 mm in length, but may reach 50mm.
Notes: Feeds on red sponges.
Carmel Pt. Monterey Co., CA; 6 Feb 2009; 15mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 22 Dec 2007; 15mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 5 Mar 2008; 13mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 9 Apr 2008; 13mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 10 Apr 2008; 13mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 23 Nov 2007; ~15mm total length.
Asilomar, Monterey Co., CA; 27 Apr 2009; 3mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 9 Apr 2008; 13mm total length. Close-up of Rhinophore.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 28 Apr 2009; 13mm total length.