Variation on Diaulula sandiegensis or something else?

August 4, 2008
From: Nancy Barnett

This dorid looks similar to Diaulula sandiegensis but the spots are not dark as shown in all other images posted. Is it a variation of or perhaps an immature Diaulula sandiegensis? Or is it something else?

Locality: Arch Rock, Santa Cruz Isle., Channel Islands, 45 feet, California, USA, Eastern Pacific, 22 September 2007, Intertidal, rocky. Length: 0.5 inchs. Photographer: Nancy Barnett.

Nancy Barnett

deepwater@surewest.net

Barnett, N, 2008 (Aug 4) Variation on Diaulula sandiegensis or something else?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20815

Hi Nancy,

Diaulula is a highly variable species. The number of spots varies from 4 to 40 and color of the spots can be faint as in you specimen of quite dark, even black. Your specimen is what we call Doris (s.l.) species for years. Examination of the internal anatomy showed it to be the same as Diaulula. In Bill's cropped photos the caryophyllidia (spicule bearing papillae), characteristic of this group of dorids, can be seen clearly.

  • Behrens, D.W. and A. Valdes. 2001. The identity of Doris (s.l.) species MacFarland, 1966 (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Discodorididae): A persistent mystry from California waters. Proc. California Academy of Sciences, 52(15): 183-193.

Thanks again,
Dave Behrens

Behrens, D.W., 2008 (Aug 4). Comment on Variation on Diaulula sandiegensis or something else? by Nancy Barnett. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20815

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Diaulula sandiegensis

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