Image courtesy of Amy Baldwin-Granger
La Jolla Shores, San Diego, California
Feb. 2020

Image courtesy of Katherine Mauser
Image taken at about 50 yards south of Vallecitos, La Jolla Shores in about 30 fsw and about 2.5 - 3 inches long.

Armina sp. (Undescribed)

The black variation of Armina has been sighted again, this time by Katherine Mauser, after almost three years to the day, at the same location as Amy's.

Body is oval with wavy alternating ridges of white with black space in between. An orange line edges the foot and the black oral veil, and the black rhinophores.

Until a specimen is collected for close examination, it will not be known if it is a distinct species or a rare color variant of Armina californica. As noted from the sand covering the mantle, like A. californica, I am sure this is a burrowing species that feeds on sea pens, sea whips, and the sea pansy, Renilla.

We really need a specimen or two for genetic sequencing. Thanks, ladies, for sharing this interesting animal.

Photos by Amy Baldwin-Granger, and Katherine Mauser. La Jolla Shores, San Diego, California



Dave Behrens
Sammamish, WA 98074
Feb., 2023
Send Dave email at davidwbehrens@gmail.com


Katy Mauser is a Southern Califonian native who lives in San Diego and most frequently dives at La Jolla Shores. She is a newly certified PADI Dive Instructor but has been diving off of Southern California since 2001. She is also a new member of the SDUPS and uses her Olympus TG6 to capture the local underwater critters. When not diving, Katy stays busy with her family, birding, hiking and has a day job in communications in the Software Industry.

Send Katy email at katherinemauser@gmail.com


Amy Baldwin-Granger is an ocean enthusiast who loves to scuba dive, snorkel/freedive, and swim, primarily at La Jolla Shores in San Diego. Local tidepooling is also a favorite activity, documenting nudibranch species abundance and diversity. Amy has been scuba diving since 2012 and has degrees in biology and accounting, and most recently has been studying marine biology. Amy is an active nature lover, who enjoys exploring anywhere from mountain summits to the ocean. Photography, both above and below water, is a wonderful way to document the world around us; we're always on the lookout for new sightings and learning opportunities. Amy resides in San Diego with her husband Brian and their beloved pet family members.

Amy's current photo set up is an Olympus TG-6 in olympus housing with a video light and a single YS-D3 strobe, and a GoPro 9 attached to tray for quick wide angle footage. For tidepools we just use the TG-6 without a housing to be able to get a little closer, using a handheld dive light for focus.

Send Amy email at amylynn829@yahoo.com


From left to right, Terry Gosliner, Angel Valdes, Dave Behrens La Jolla, Calif.

Send Dave email at davidwbehrens@gmail.com

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