Phidiana hiltoni
O'Donoghue, 1927
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: AEOLIDINA
Family: Glaucidae
DISTRIBUTION
Central coast of California to Baja California, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico.
PHOTO
Bruce Wight.
Grows to 50mm. Feeds on hydroids, including Hydractinia, and attacks other aeolids.
The original description was based on a preserved specimen, the colour notes of the living animal stating merely that the body colour was 'light' and the cerata "dark". MacDonald, 1983 felt there was enough anatomical information in this original description to identify O'Donoghue's species with the later, but much more appropriate, name Phidiana pugnax Lance, 1962.
This species has a reputation for pugnaceous behaviour, [hence the name pugnax] biting and fighting with other aeolids, including others of its own kind. See Bruce Wights' photos below.
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McDonald, G. R. (1983) A review of the nudibranchs of the California coast. Malacologia, 24(1-2): 114-276.
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O'Donoghue, C. H. (1927) Notes on a collection of nudibranchs from Laguna Beach, California. Journal of Entomology & Zoology, Pomona College, 19(1-4): 77-119, pls. 1-3.
Rudman, W.B., 2000 (July 15) Phidiana hiltoni O'Donoghue, 1927. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/phidhilt
Related messages
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Re: Phidiana hiltoni with 4 rhinophores
From: Blair Carmichael, June 30, 2006 -
Pale form of Phidiana hiltoni
From: Elijah Woolery, May 10, 2006 -
Phidiana hiltoni with 4 rhinophores
From: Blair Carmichael, April 21, 2006 -
A sea slug? from California
From: Mila Zinkova, March 3, 2006 -
Phidiana hiltoni north of Monterey, CA
From: Ken-ichi Ueda, August 24, 2005 -
Phidiana hiltoni from the Channel Islands, California
From: Bruce Wight, August 9, 2005 -
Phidiana hiltoni from California
From: Bruce Wight, September 30, 2001 -
Phidiana hiltoni feeding
From: Bruce Wight, July 15, 2000 -
Phidiana hiltoni fighting
From: Bruce Wight, July 15, 2000