Aeolidiella oliviae
MacFarland, 1966
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: AEOLIDINA
Family: Aeolidiidae
DISTRIBUTION
Known from sothern California to Baja California, Mexico
PHOTO
Locality: Redondo Beach, 21 metres, California, USA, Pacific Ocean, 14 July 2007, wreck. Length: 12 mm. Photographer: Jim Lyle.
Body translucent with a cream colouration on the back, sometimes with an orange blotch on the head and another over the pericardium. The cerata and rhinophores are orange with a white or whitish tips. According to MacFarland, the most striking feature are the rhinophores "attracting attention in the tide pools by their brilliancy". The oral tentacles are long, and their outer half is opaque white. The anterior edge of the foot is also opaque white and extends out on each side as tentacular foot corners.
This species feeds on sea anemones and grows to about 20 mm in length.
Authorship detailsRudman, W.B., 2007 (July 20) Aeolidiella oliviae MacFarland, 1966. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/aeololiv
Related messages
Aeolidiella oliviae from S. California
July 21, 2007
From: Jim Lyle
Dear Dr. Rudman,
I believe these are Aeolidiella oliviae, along with a likely egg ribbon, flat worms, tube worm, et al. The orange color in the background is due to rust - the Branchs were found under an iron flake from a wreck.
Locality: Redondo Beach, 21 metres, California, USA, Pacific Ocean, 14 July 2007, wreck. Length: 12 mm. Photographer: Jim Lyle.
Jim Lyle
jlyle@adelphia.net
Hi Jim,
Thanks for sharing this. Your shots really show the characteristics of this species well. In Bill's cropped close-up you can even see the spots locating the evolving eyes of this mollusk. It is also so nice to have the egg ribbon right there. Notice that this species lays an egg coil attached to the substrate on edge, rather than flat like other species.
Best wishes,
Dave Behrens
