Juvenile Aeolidia papillosa?

May 11, 2006
From: Carmelita Hansen

We found this small nudibranch in about 70 feet of water in Carmel Bay, California. Our best guess at identification is a juvenile Aeolidia papillosa. Is this what we are looking at, or are we mistaken?

Locality: Point Lobos, Carmel, 70 feet, California, USA, Pacific, 30 March 2006, rocky bottom. Length: 1 inch. Photographer: Carmelita Hansen.

Thanks.
Carmel Hansen

mhel0323@sbcglobal.net

Hansen, C., 2006 (May 11) Juvenile Aeolidia papillosa?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16232

Hi Carmel,

Yes indeed, this is a young Aeolidia papillosa.  In your area the species feeds largely on the sea anemone, Metridium senile, giving the slug the white coloration.  When individuals in the intertidal feed on Epiactis, they are more of a olive green tint.

When identifying this species, you will alway see a wide clearing down the center of the dorsum and the cerata begin in front of the rhinophores.  The white patches on your specimen are very common.

Thanks,
Dave Behrens

Behrens, D.W., 2006 (May 11). Comment on Juvenile Aeolidia papillosa? by Carmelita Hansen. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16232

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