Diaulula sandiegensis

Photo 1: Diaulula sandiegensis

 

Photo by Michael D. Miller.  Used with permission.

Photo 3:  Diaulula sandiegensis

 

Photo by Dr. Bonnie Becker

 

Underwater photo of dark morph of Diaulula sandiegensis exhibiting typical  oval, dorid shape.  Extended rhinosphores are seen at the upper left of notum.

 

Specimen seen at Argyle Creek, San Juan Island, Washington

Diaulula sandiegensis

 

•Suborder:  Doridacea

 

•Family: Discodorididae

 

Commonly referred to as the Ringed Nudibranch, Spotted Nudibranch, Ringed Doris, Leopard Nudibranch, San Diego Doris

 

Coloration:  Usually has a creamy or light brown base color with various sized rings or dots scattered across the dorsum.

 

Size:  7-10 cm.  A 15 cm dark morph specimen was found at Argyle Creek.

 

Habitat:  Intertidal to subtidal. 

 

Diet:  Intertidal to subtidal sponges.

 

Range:  Alaska to Mexico

   

Specimen seen at several locations:

 

             1.  Point Defiance, Tacoma, Washington

 

             2.  Argyle Creek, San Juan Island, Washington

 

             3.  Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington 

 

(Behrens 1991, Sept 1999)