Orange-spike Polycera
Polycera atra MacFarland, 1905
Description 2
Ground color pale greyish-white, with longitudinal black lines of various widths on dorsum and sides. Oblong spots of yellowish-orange occur everywhere between the back lines, which may branch somewhat. Frontal veil bears 4-8 tapered, pointed processes which are orange-yellow medially. Rhinophores bear 8-12 lamellae, and are translucent greyish-white, with a slightly dusky gray hue, each bear a subterminal band of orange-yellow on clavus, and a large triangular spot of like color on in inner surface of shaft near base. Branchial plumes 7-11, unipinnate, dusky greyish, each with an orange spot distally on outer face, a larger spot proximally, and a pale orange spot at base of inner face. There are usually 2-4 extra-branchial appendages which are yellow-orange with greyish-white tips. Labial tentacles lobiform.
Size 2
Typically about 20mm in length, but may reach at least 40mm.
Geographic Range 2
Cape Arago, Oregon, to La Paz, Gulf of California, Mexico.
Notes 2
Feeds on arborescent bryozoans such as Bugula pacifica; also reported to eat the encrusting bryozoan Membranipora membranacea. Typically found in bays and estuaries rather than in open coast areas.
References 2
MACFARLAND, F. M. 1966. Studies of opisthobranchiate mollusks of the Pacific coast of North America. Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences 6:1-546, pls. 1-72. PDF
McDONALD, G. R. 1983. A review of the nudibranchs of the California coast. Malacologia 24(1-2):114-276. PDF
POLA, M., M, SÁNCHEZ-BENÍTEZ, & B, RAMIRO. 2014. The genus Polycera Cuvier, 1817 (Nudibranchia: Polyceridae) in the eastern Pacific Ocean, with redescription of Polycera alabe Collier & Farmer, 1964 and description of a new species. Journal of Mollusca Studies 80(5):551-561. PDFF
SANTANDER, M., & Á. VALDÉS. 2013. Genetic structure of Polycera alabe and P. atra (Mollusca: Opistobranchia: Nudibranchia) in the Pacific coast of North America. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Science 112(3):176-184. 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
Sources and Credits
- (c) Gary McDonald, all rights reserved, uploaded by Gary McDonald
- (c) Gary McDonald, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Body | limaciform |
|---|---|
| Classification | Doridina |
| Dorsum | smooth |
| Rhinophores | perfoliate |
| Labial tentacles | lobiform |
