Hancockia californica from California

February 23, 2004
From: Sean Kearney

Dear Bill,
I have tried to get this creature identified locally, but am not getting any feedback. I am sorry that I cannot provide any better photographs, however I do have some from different angles if needed. Photo was taken topside due to the strong surge at the 75 fsw depth. Under close examination the red "spots" are really lines with sharp angles. Black dots and white encrustation. Any idea of the species? I wondered if it was Dendronotus?

75ft, San Diego. Pt. Loma. [California]Thanks for a great site, and for all of your information.
Sean Kearney

skearney@dc.rr.com

Kearney, S., 2004 (Feb 23) Hancockia californica from California. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12269

Dear Sean,
This is a nice addition to the Forum. It's Hancockia californica, which is related to Dendronotus but differs in having these strange hand-like cerata. I can't find any reference to what this species feeds on but if you have photographed it on the rock you found it on, or under, then it looks like it was in a banquet of hydroids. The European species Hancockia uncinata feeds on hydroids

If you can give me an idea of its size, and if you have any photos showing its head more clearly I would be grateful
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2004 (Feb 23). Comment on Hancockia californica from California by Sean Kearney. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12269

Factsheet

Hancockia californica

Related messages

  1. Hancockia californica from Mexico
    From: Kevin Lee, December 1, 2009
  2. More pics of Hancockia californica
    From: John K. Yasaki, December 1, 2009
  3. Hancockia californica from Pacific Grove, California
    From: John K Yasaki, December 1, 2009
  4. Re: Hancockia californica feeding
    From: Bernard Picton, February 5, 2008
  5. Hancockia californica from Monterey, CA
    From: Clinton Bauder, May 29, 2007
  6. Rhinophores and cerata of Hancockia californica
    From: Jeff Goddard, November 30, 2005
  7. Eggs and development of Hancockia californica
    From: Jeff Goddard, November 30, 2005
  8. Re: Hancockia californica
    From: Sean Kearney, February 24, 2004

Show factsheet and all related messages