Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California

Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz

Eubranchus rustyus (Marcus, 1961)               
Rustya Aeolid
Mollusca: Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Aeolidina: Eubranchidae
Geographic Range: Mountain Pass, Ketchikan, AK, to Punta Abreojos, Baja California, Mexico. Synonyms: Capellinia rustya, Eubranchus occidentalis
Back to: Aeolidina Back to: Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area
Eubranchus_rustyus_1_0008
Asilomar, Monterey Co., CA; 4 June 2008; 11mm total length.

Description: Ground color greyish-white to light cream or yellowish to a light brownish-yellow, numerous irregular specks of brownish to light grey or greenish over body and on cerata. Cerata somewhat inflated, may bear tubercles and are arranged in 4-6 groups on either side of dorsum, each bears a diffuse, subapical band of brownish to light grey or greenish, with whitish tip; cores vary from yellowish-green to brown. Oral tentacles a light shade of body color with translucent whitish tips and a subapical band of brownish to light grey or greenish, and a few small, irregular spots of the same color. Rhinophores smooth, colored as oral tentacles. Foot corners rounded. May be distinguished from Eubranchus rupium which has opaque white dots on head, & has dorso-medial band of olive green.
Size: Typically about 8mm in length.
Notes: Feeds on hydroids such as Obelia sp. and Plumularia sp.

Eubranchus_rustyus_2_0069
Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz Co., CA; 9 Jan 2009; ~7mm total length.
Eubranchus_rustyus_2_0083
Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz Co., CA; 9 Jan 2009; ~7mm total length.
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Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz Co., CA; 9 Jan 2009; ~7mm total length.
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Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz Co., CA; 29 Apr 2009; 8mm total length.
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Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 25 May 2009; 5mm total length.
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Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 30 Dec 2009; 7mm total length.
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Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 30 Dec 2009; 5mm total length.
 

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