Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California
Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz
Carmel Point, Monterey Co., CA; 31 July 2007; 71mm total length.
Description: Ground color varies from pale yellow to yellow-orange or chestnut brown. With low tubercles on dorsum, each with an apical white dot. Rhinophores yellow, with 11-20 lamellae. Branchial plumes 5, tripinnate, whitish to very pale yellow, spreading horizontally when fully expanded. Labial tentacles rudimentary. May be distinguished from the much rarer Baptodoris mimetica which has firmer texture, has digitiform labial tentacles, has narrow foot, and has 7-8, bipinnate, white, branchial plumes which are held more vertically when fully expanded.
Size: Typically about 25mm in length, but may exceed 70mm in length.
Notes: Feeds on various sponges such as: Acarnus erithacus,Cliona celata, Ficulina suberea, & Suberites ficus.
Pigeon Pt., San Mateo Co., CA; 23 Dec 2007; 18mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 9 Apr 2008; 13mm total length.
Carmel Point, Monterey Co., CA; 31 July 2007; 71mm total length. Close-up of branchial plumes.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 13 Nov 2008; 20mm total length. Close-up of mouth showing rudimentary labial tentacles.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 1 Dec 2009; 28mm total length. Close-up of rhinophore.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 1 Dec 2009; 28mm total length.
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 1 Dec 2009; 21mm total length.