Description ²

Ground color yellow, dorsum with numerous small, white dots; texture velvety (with minute caryophyllidia). Rhinophores yellow to brown, with about 14 lamellae. Branchial plumes 7-8, bipinnate, white, held vertically when fully expanded. Labial tentacles digitiform. Can be distinguished from the much more common Doriopsilla albopunctata & Doriopsilla fulva which have softer texture, have rudimentary labial tentacles, have wider foot, and have 5, tripinnate, white branchial plumes which spread wider when expanded.

Size ²

Typically about 25mm in length, but may reach 36mm.

Geographic Range ²

Salt Point, Sonoma Co., CA, to Isla San Martin, Baja California, Mexico.

Notes ²

Indidviduals have been found in the sea water holding tanks at Long Marine Lab, in association with the sponge Oscarella carmela which it may eat.

References ²

GODDARD, J. H. R., N. TRENEMAN, T. PRESTHOLDT, C. HOOVER, B. GREEN, W. E. PENCE, D. E. MASON, P. DOBRY, J. L. SONES, E. SANFORD, R. AGARWAL, G. R. MCDONALD, R. F. JOHNSON, & T. M. GOSLINER. 2018. Heterobranch sea slug range shifts in the Northeast Pacific Ocean associated with the 2015-16 El Niño. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, series 4, 65(3):107-131. PDF

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF MARINE INVERTEBRATE TAXONOMISTS. 2018. A taxonomic listing of benthic macro- and megainvertebrates from infaunal & epibenthic monitoring and research programs in the southern California bight, edition 12, 1 July 2018, xviii + 167 pp. PDF

Additional Info ²

WoRMS

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Gary McDonald, all rights reserved, uploaded by Gary McDonald
2. (c) Gary McDonald, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• CalPhotos
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• SeaLifeBase
• World Register of Marine Species

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