Diaulula sandiegensis? from California

April 16, 2003
From: Ken Ashman

Note added 23 Sept 2005: Dendrodoris sp. 4 has been named D. behrensi.

I found this at Anacapa Island, California (northern Channel Islands) at 25 ft. It's size was about 2" x 1/2".

Items I noted: the doughnut patterns don't seem right for Diaulula sandiegensis, nor do the rhinophores seem right. To me - based on the three groups of speckles and overall appearance - it might be Dendrodoris sp. 3. Does it have this color variation?
Ken Ashman

kenashman@scubadiving.com

Ashman, K., 2003 (Apr 16) Diaulula sandiegensis? from California. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9510

Dear Ken,
If you look through the Forum messages, Diaulula sandiegensis the black markings on the mantle are quite variable. In fact photos from British Columbia with a quite irregular arrangement of 'doughnuts' and spots fit your animal quite well.

Concerning your Dendrodoris sp. 3. I suspect your talking about the animal in Dave Behren's book. It is quite a different animal than the one on the Forum I have labelled Dendrodoris sp. 3. I suppose your animal could be Dave Behrens' Dendrodoris sp. 3. I think the only way to be sure would be to know more about the animal. One simple difference is that species of Dendrodoris have a smooth fleshy back while the back of Diaulula has a covering of bristly caryophyllidia.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Apr 16). Comment on Diaulula sandiegensis? from California by Ken Ashman. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9510

Factsheet

Dendrodoris behrensi

Related messages

  1. First Dendrodoris behrensi in Los Angeles?
    From: Scott Gietler, January 18, 2007
  2. Dendrodoris behrensi from California and Mexico
    From: Jeff Goddard, September 26, 2005
  3. Dendrodoris sp. 4 from California
    From: Sean Kearney, December 29, 2004
  4. Ken Ashman's Dendrodoris
    From: Bruce Wight, April 18, 2003
  5. More on Diaulula sandiegensis? from California
    From: Ken Ashman, April 17, 2003

Show factsheet and all related messages