Dendronotida

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

All Biocode files are based on field identifications to the best of the researcher’s ability at the time.

This nudibranch and the accompaning bryozoan colonies are on a blade of giant kelp, floating in Monterey Bay.

We have only found these nudibranchs on the blades of giant kelp where they feed on hydroids. Length 10 mm.

Bornella stellifer

Melibe leonina swimming near surface, about 3 m from the bottom, in a harbor. Length about 8 cm Click the photo for a short video of this individual swimming

This is a top left view of a swimming individual, who has been swimming away but is making a strong turn to the left. The head and oral hood are visible to the right. The flaplike extensions of the oral hood are the rhinophores. The large dorsal cerata with an internal network of vessels (hepatic diverticula?) are visible at the top and right. The foot is facing down and away from view. The oral hood is closed in this view.

white dendronotus

Bornella stellifer

In this nearly head-on view the open oral hood with its filiform tentacles can be seen.

Bornella stellifer

Melibe leonina about 10 cm long. Collected from eelgrass at Padilla Bay. The head and oral hood is to the right. Some of the tentacles from the opening in the oral hood can be seen. (Photo by: Dave Cowles July 2006)

Bornella stellifer

This larger view of the same individual as above shows pink patches of sea strawberry, Gersemia rubriformis, one of this species' preferred foods, around the nudibranch.The pink lumps beside the nudibranch may be Gersemia that the animal has already grazed on.The anemones present are Cribrinopsis fernaldi (pink striped tentacles, beside the nudibranch) and Metridium giganteum (white, bottom of picture)Photo by Jim Nestler, July 2005

dendronotus