Doto amyra from La Jolla Shores, California

February 22, 2007
From: Kevin Lee


Dear Bill & Dave,
Spurred by reports of Doto sightings, I journeyed south to La Jolla Shores, last weekend. During my first dive, I didn't recognize a single one, perhaps because they are so tiny. On my second dive, I managed to find a few and am pleased to share these photos. Even in extreme macro, the images are not great, I suspect from the limitations of my Oly 5060 camera lens.

Locality: La Jolla Shores, 55~60 feet, California, USA, Eastern Pacific, 10 February 2007, On kelp stems and fronds. Length: 0.25 inch and less. Photographer: Kevin Lee.

Would estimate all animals are 1/4 inch or less. For size comparison, the second frame shows a Doto (with "eye" spots), alongside a copepod. And, in the third frame, a cluster of Dotos mating is shown, but look closely at the upper right corner, where a lone "baby" is hanging out. Nearly microscopic! Hopefully, I am not permanently cross-eyed, as it required extreme concentration to find and photo these minuscule nuds.

K:-)

diverkevin@gmail.com

Lee, K., 2007 (Feb 22) Doto amyra from La Jolla Shores, California. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19454

Hi Kevin,

Wow. These may be the best photos of Doto amyra I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. I believe your shots capture all the important characteristics of the type species. Previous messages mention Jeff Goddard's careful review of this variable and complicated species.

Your photos clearly show the characteristic fluted rhinophore with white specks, and the cerata with pinkish cores with rings of white tipped tubercles. Since all of these shots were taken on the same dive they also show the variablity of the ceratal core color.

Thanks for sharing these.
Dave Behrens

Behrens, D.W., 2007 (Feb 22). Comment on Doto amyra from La Jolla Shores, California by Kevin Lee. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19454

Factsheet

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