Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California
Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz
Great Tidepool, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., CA; 12 Dec 2008; 21mm total length.
Description: Ground color very light cream to pale yellow. A series of 6-10 or more small, lemon yellow dots occurs longitudinally on either side of the dorsum, from just posterior of rhinophores to just posterior of branchial plumes. Rhinophores brown to almost black, with 8-12 lamellae. Branchial plumes 10-12, uni- to bipinnate, light cream to yellow. Can be distinguished from the similar Cadlina modesta which has cream to light yellow rhinophores, and 16-20 or more lemon yellow dots longitudinally on either side of the dorsum; and from the rarer Cadlina sparsa which has yellow to yellowish-tan rhinophores, and dark spots with yellow centers longitudinally on either side of the dorsum.
Size: Typically about 15mm in length, but may reach 21mm.
Notes: Feeds on the sponge Aplysilla glacialis.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 23 Nov 2007; ~10mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 1 Aug 2008; ~11mm total length.
Great Tidepool, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., CA; 12 Dec 2008; 21mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 23 Nov 2007; ~10mm total length. Close-up of rhinopores
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 16 Nov 2009; 15mm total length.
Great Tidepool, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., CA; 26 May 2009; 14mm total length.