Tritonia festiva

Photo 1:  Tritonia festiva

 

Observed:  Found while trawling at 100 m off of Pt. Caution , San Juan Island, Washington. 

 

Photo by Lisa Hannon

Tritonia festiva

 

•Suborder:  Dendronotacea

 

•Family: Tritoniidae

 

Intraspecific Coloration:  Colors can range from white to yellow to burnt sienna. 

 

White reticulate lines divide and pattern the dorsal surface — this is highly variable among individuals

 

Yellow rhinosphores

 

Yellow branchial tufts found in irregular patches along the dorsum edge

 

Size:  Up to 2 cm. 

 

Habitat:  Intertidal to subtidal.  Found on red sponges (primary diet) that grow on rocky shores

 

Range:  Alaska to California

 

 

(Behrens 1991)