Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California

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

Description: Ground color translucent greyish-white, very large individuals may occasionally be quite greyish. Pallial ridge bears 4-9 slightly prolonged large orange tubercles which bear very small branches or tubercles. Dorsum, dorsal surface of tail, and sides of body bear a numbers of irregular, orange tubercles and blotches of various sizes. Margin of frontal veil bears 7-16 or more irregularly lobed, orange processes. Rhinophores bear 20-30 lamellae, the orange clavus is inclined slightly posteriorly. Branchial plumes 5, tripinnate, translucent greyish-white with orange tips. The elongate, limaciform body distinguishes this species from Limacia cockerelli which is doridiform, has elongate, rather clavate processes and also lacks the frontal veil with irregularly lobed, orange processes.
Size: Typically about 30mm in length, but may exceed 150mm.
Notes: Feeds on several species of erect bryozoans such as: Bugula mollis, Caulibugula ciliata, Cellaria mandibulata, Crisia sp., Dendrobeania sp., Filicrisia franciscana, Scrupocellaria spp., & Tricellaria sp..