Peltodoris nobilis
(MacFarland, 1905)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: EUDORIDOIDEA
Family: Dorididae

DISTRIBUTION

West Coast of North America from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.

PHOTO

Upper: on sand in about 25 feet of water at Point Lobos, Monterey, California. Lower: off San Miguel Island California. Photos: Bruce Wight.

Formerly known as Anisodoris nobilis, then Diaulula nobilis - see message #8419. Now placed in Peltodoris - see message #16240

Similar in shape and colour to Archidoris montereyensis there are a few external differences which can be used to identify them. In Peltodoris nobilis the gills are white-tipped and black or dark brown pigment, if present, does not occur on the tubercles. In Archidoris montereyensis the gills are the same yellow colour as the mantle and dark pigment often darkens some of the tubercles. See Bruce Wight's message comparing the two species.

"By the way, Anisodoris nobilis is the only one of these [sea-lemon] dorids with a distinct lemon scent. Its citrus fruit aroma is quite pleasant and usually only given off when the animal is handled." See Sandra Millen's message.

  • MacFarland, F.M. (1905). A preliminary account of the Dorididae of the Monterey Bay, California. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 18: 35-54
  • Valdés, A. & Gosliner, T. M. 2001. Systematics and phylogeny of the caryophyllidia-bearing dorids (Mollusca, Nudibranchia), with the description of a new genus and four new species from Indo-Pacific deep waters. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 133: 103-198.
  • Valdés, A. 2002. A phylogenetic analysis and systematic revision of the cryptobranch dorids (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Anthobranchia). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 136: 535-636.
Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2000 (October 11) Peltodoris nobilis (MacFarland, 1905). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/anisnobi

Related messages

  1. Re: Peltodoris nobilis eggs (British Columbia)
    From: Jackie Hildering & Glen Miller, August 17, 2007
  2. Peltodoris nobilis eggs (British Columbia)
    From: Jackie Hildering, August 14, 2007
  3. Peltodoris nobilis from California waters
    From: Ken Tucker, August 9, 2007
  4. Peltodoris nobilis mating
    From: Jim Lyle, December 4, 2006
  5. Fish attacking Peltodoris nobilis
    From: Leslie Harris, July 12, 2006
  6. Peltodoris nobilis from Puget Sound, Washington
    From: Jan Kocian, April 28, 2006
  7. Re: Anisodoris nobilis - Peltodoris or Archidoris?
    From: Angel Valdes, April 4, 2006
  8. Anisodoris nobilis - Peltodoris or Archidoris?
    From: Bill Rudman, April 3, 2006
  9. Peltodoris nobilis from Santa Cruz Is.
    From: Kevin Lee, April 3, 2006
  10. Mating Anisodoris nobilis
    From: Bruce Wight, October 1, 2001
  11. Re: Anisodoris nobilis? from California
    From: Bruce Wight, January 25, 2001
  12. Anisodoris nobilis from Santa Cruz Island
    From: Jeff Goddard, January 25, 2001
  13. Anisodoris nobilis? from California
    From: Deb Lantis, January 21, 2001
  14. Another photo of Anisodoris nobilis
    From: Bruce Wight, October 12, 2000

Show factsheet and all related messages