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Peltodoris nobilis
Photo courtesy of "Mick" McMurrayPhoto taken off San Diego, California
Peltodoris nobilis
(MacFarland, 1905)
Previously referred to as Anisodoris nobilis , this species is one of the most common dorids on the Pacific Coast of North America. Its round tubercles and white tipped gill, make the species easy to identify. It is however often confused with Doris montereyensis but folks not looking close enough. P. nobilis has blackish blotches on the dorsum between the tubercles, not extending up onto the tubercles like D. montereyensis.
Like most other cryptobranch dorids, P. nobilis is a sponge predator. Mick's photo above is an amazing shot showing one very hungry P. nobilis diving into a red sponge feast. McDonald and Nybakken’s massive monograph on nudibranch foods, lists 23 different sponges which have been reported by others to be fed upon by this dorid. It is difficult to identify the species of sponge in this photo, but if I had to guess, I’d say Ophlitaspongia pennata.
Hard to overlook, measuring up to 200 mm in length, this species ranges from Alaska to Mexico, and lives both intertidally and subtidally to depths of 750 feet.
Gig Harbor, Washington
Oct., 2006
Mick McMurray
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Mick started diving in the early 90’s & started taking photos soon after. I have always enjoyed taking photos of nidibranchs however I also enjoy wide angle photography. Most of my diving lately is done off of a small boat locally here in Southern Ca. or shore diving in Hawaii. Locally I enjoy diving in the kelp beds or out in blue water off the coast. Currently I am using my 1st digital set-up consisting of a D-70 in a Sea & Sea housing with Sea & Sea strobes.
Contact Mick at mcmcmurray@cox.net Webmaster's Notes Mick as usual is being especially modest! Mick is a long time member of the San Diego Underwater Photography Club. I can remember working with Mick on the Technical Committee years ago when our club in its heyday was presenting our Film Festival down at the San Diego Civic Theater. Mick's underwater images are always first rate! Mick put together a slide show on local jellys for our September Film Festival that is just outstanding ! Perhaps we can entice Mick to present it on the Slug Site in streaming format? |
March 2005
Ali Hermosillo and Dave Behrens
Author:
Pacific Coast Nudibranchs and Nudibranch Behavior
Send Dave mail at dave@seachallengers.com
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