Pleurobranchaea californica from San Diego

February 6, 2004
From: Dave Behrens

Bill:
I see you need a photo of Pleurobranchaea californica. Here is a dandy taken by Mike Miller. It was shot at La Jolla Shores, San Diego, California. This is unusual because as you know this species is a deeper water creature living primarily below depths of 30-1200 feet. It ranges is from Port Orford, Oregon to San Diego, California on the Pacific Coast.

I have examined the gut contents of specimens up to nearly 10 inches in length, to learn that they feed not only on all
variety of sand and mud bottom nvertebrates, but unsuspecting fish, such as small sole and sanddabs. The most interesting aspect of its feeding behavior is that it cannibalizes its own species, a 10 inch individual examined contained 7 one inch younger brethren.

Dave Behrens
Sea Challengers

dave@seachallengers.com

Behrens, D., 2004 (Feb 6) Pleurobranchaea californica from San Diego. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12142

Thanks Dave, and Mike,
I had not realised that this species has quite noticeable pointed papillae on the dorsum, which are very visible in Mike's photo. Compared with other west coast opisthobranchs, the known geographic distribution seems rather restricted. Compared with other west coast organisms is this distribution reasonable, or is it likely to be me widely distributed when more collecting is done in the depths it is usually found?
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2004 (Feb 6). Comment on Pleurobranchaea californica from San Diego by Dave Behrens. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12142

Factsheet

Pleurobranchaea californica

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