The trailing behavior is quite common, nobody knows for sure the significance. Some think it has to do with mating, others think it is way to find food, in some instances it is a predator slug tracing a prey (in tropical species).Scott G wrote:Dusty, I saw the "sudden stop" behavior quite a few times on one dive with those nudi's... Do you know what that is? It was funny looking... pardon my white balance.
Northwest Nudibranchs
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Ya beat me to it Jan! Oh well, your a better teacher anyway.
Yep it's called trailing. It's not knowen if it is social or just mating behaviour. They follow like that until they deside to mate then they turn side to side /head to tail for mating
Yep it's called trailing. It's not knowen if it is social or just mating behaviour. They follow like that until they deside to mate then they turn side to side /head to tail for mating
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Thanks guys!
I hear no speculation that this is a spousal relationship ?
I hear no speculation that this is a spousal relationship ?
PS.
Since you guys might be likely to enjoy some nudibranch trivia.
When i did this dive my buddy was an academic studying nudibranches... after the dive i asked her about the behaviour, i never got an answer because that conversation got sidetracked when she said "oh, the watermelon dorids?"...
She said she called them that because they smell like watermelons, wierd...
Anyway they loosely look like a watermelon.
When i did this dive my buddy was an academic studying nudibranches... after the dive i asked her about the behaviour, i never got an answer because that conversation got sidetracked when she said "oh, the watermelon dorids?"...
She said she called them that because they smell like watermelons, wierd...
Anyway they loosely look like a watermelon.
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Interesting. I never thought about smelling nudibranchs. I read somewhere that Melibe leonina, the Hooded nudibranchs smell like lemon... I don't like water in my nose, so I keep my mask on and just take pictures of them
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. by Unknown
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Since each is both male amd female and gay marriage has been banned I think I'll just say it MAY be social behaviour.Scott G wrote:Thanks guys!
I hear no speculation that this is a spousal relationship ?
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Jan K wrote:Interesting. I never thought about smelling nudibranchs. I read somewhere that Melibe leonina, the Hooded nudibranchs smell like lemon... I don't like water in my nose, so I keep my mask on and just take pictures of them
Since they do not have eyes they must have smell how else would they find each other. but then again do they have noses?? However I'll let the academics ponder those deep thoughts. I just like taking pretty pictures and have a strict no touchy policy.
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
- dphershman
- Aquanaut
- Posts: 697
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:42 am
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Nudibranchs are hermaphrodites-- they have both male and female sex organs so they fertilize their mate and are fertilized at the same time. This of course makes things very convenieint for them as every nudibranch is able to mate with any other nudibranch that they run (crawl) into.
They don't really have eyes like we do, but they do have eye spots that are sensitive to light. You can see it just below the rhinophore on this spanish shawl as a pinpoint black spot. They do have noses as well, that's why they're called Rhinophores.
They don't really have eyes like we do, but they do have eye spots that are sensitive to light. You can see it just below the rhinophore on this spanish shawl as a pinpoint black spot. They do have noses as well, that's why they're called Rhinophores.
Dan Hershman
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Cadlina modesta, the first one we've seen in Puget Sound. We found one this past summer down at Point Lobos near Monterey, but we hadn't found one up here yet. Kathy and I saw this guy today on the pipeline at Point Whitney.
Dave
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Wow, Very cool find and nice photos
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Cuthona divae, also a new one for us. Found him on a piling at Titlow on 11/3/08. He/she's in the process of laying an egg ribbon, so hopefully in the near future there will be more of them.
Dave
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
- dieseldude
- Extreme Diving Machine
- Posts: 489
- Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:12 am
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
I'm a novice ID'er-could someone name these for me? Found them at Mulkilteo today appx 50yds apart-one shallow & one semi deep(50ft or so)-nice color on both
" What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Top one's a Noble Dorid or Noble Sea Lemon, Peltodoris nobilis. The lower one is a Monterey Dorid, Doris montereyensis. The quick way to tell them apart is the color of their plumes: the noble is white, the Monterey yellow. There are other differences to go to when they don't have their plumes out (they can retract them) but that's not necessary thanks to your very nice photos.
Dave
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
- Grateful Diver
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 5322
- Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 7:52 pm
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
I took these on China Wall the other day ...
alabaster nudi (white-lined dirona)
... and a dendronotus diversicolor with a dive buddy (?) ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
alabaster nudi (white-lined dirona)
... and a dendronotus diversicolor with a dive buddy (?) ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Threats and ultimatums are never the best answer. Public humiliation via Photoshop is always better - airsix
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Love the white line shot. it's tough to catch that frosted glass look on camera.Grateful Diver wrote:I took these on China Wall the other day ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
- Grateful Diver
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 5322
- Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 7:52 pm
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Here's a teensy little flabellina verrucosa that I took on Waterman's Wall on Sunday ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Threats and ultimatums are never the best answer. Public humiliation via Photoshop is always better - airsix
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
- dphershman
- Aquanaut
- Posts: 697
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:42 am
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Its been kind of a slow winter for nudibranchs (at least for this diver). The last few dives I didn't see any at all. Yesterday I went to Titlow and despite the mediocre visibility I found these fellows.
Shaggy Mouse Aeolidia papillosa
Triopha catalinae
Flabellina triophina
Shaggy Mouse Aeolidia papillosa
Triopha catalinae
Flabellina triophina
Dan Hershman
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Nice to see you back Dan. You just need to hit Port Townsend when I'm there. I can show you lots of nudie's and come to think of it Redondo and 3tree have been pretty good too. Oh and I think your last shot is a flabellina verrucosa not triophina
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Some from last week at Port Townsend
Dirona albolineata Dendronotus rufus Dendronotus Albus or at least I think it is though this one is a little different then I'm used to seeing Dirona albolineata with a Flabellina verrucosa
Dirona albolineata Dendronotus rufus Dendronotus Albus or at least I think it is though this one is a little different then I'm used to seeing Dirona albolineata with a Flabellina verrucosa
http://dustys-lights.com/, An awesome light at an unbelievably low price
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Dusty's Lights on facebook
http://underthesound.smugmug.com/
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Oh my gosh, this is my new favorite thread!!
Here are a few unidentified nudibranchs from Edmonds....sorry the pictures aren't the greatest:
Possibly a Nanaimo?
Also, can someone tell me - are these guys white-and-orange-tipped Janolus fuscus, or Opalescent nudibranchs, Hermissenda crassicornis (erm...I think this is the scientific name...there are like six listed next to the photo...)
Here are a few unidentified nudibranchs from Edmonds....sorry the pictures aren't the greatest:
Possibly a Nanaimo?
Also, can someone tell me - are these guys white-and-orange-tipped Janolus fuscus, or Opalescent nudibranchs, Hermissenda crassicornis (erm...I think this is the scientific name...there are like six listed next to the photo...)
- nwscubamom
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 2315
- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:13 am
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Where's the nudi in the first pic? Not sure what I'm looking at...sneaky little bugger...
Second pic is the Red Gilled Dorid, aka Nanaimo Dorid, aka Nanaimo Horned Dorid, etc.- Acanthodoris nanaimoensis)
The last two shots are Hermissenda crassicornis, or the Opalescent Nudibranch.
- Janna
Second pic is the Red Gilled Dorid, aka Nanaimo Dorid, aka Nanaimo Horned Dorid, etc.- Acanthodoris nanaimoensis)
The last two shots are Hermissenda crassicornis, or the Opalescent Nudibranch.
- Janna
Janna Nichols
My underwater photo galleries
REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
Seen any cool critters lately?
><((((°>
-----------------------------
My underwater photo galleries
REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
Seen any cool critters lately?
><((((°>
-----------------------------
- nwscubamom
- I've Got Gills
- Posts: 2315
- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:13 am
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Mystery nudi!
I saw this at Sunnyside on Saturday. It looks almost like there's two in the photo, and I think I can see a little teensy egg mass below them. Both are on top of a clam siphon (the hairy outside of one). I thought it was an anemone at first, but wasn't sure, because it didn't look quite right. Took the shot, got home, blew it up on my monitor, and wow, that's a nudi for sure.
But which one?!?
- Janna
I saw this at Sunnyside on Saturday. It looks almost like there's two in the photo, and I think I can see a little teensy egg mass below them. Both are on top of a clam siphon (the hairy outside of one). I thought it was an anemone at first, but wasn't sure, because it didn't look quite right. Took the shot, got home, blew it up on my monitor, and wow, that's a nudi for sure.
But which one?!?
- Janna
Janna Nichols
My underwater photo galleries
REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
Seen any cool critters lately?
><((((°>
-----------------------------
My underwater photo galleries
REEF Citizen Science Program Manager
Seen any cool critters lately?
><((((°>
-----------------------------
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
nwscubamom wrote:Where's the nudi in the first pic? Not sure what I'm looking at...sneaky little bugger...
Second pic is the Red Gilled Dorid, aka Nanaimo Dorid, aka Nanaimo Horned Dorid, etc.- Acanthodoris nanaimoensis)
The last two shots are Hermissenda crassicornis, or the Opalescent Nudibranch.
- Janna
My bad...perhaps the first isn't even a nudi ...I'm wondering about that pink spiky blob-looking thing sort of to the upper right of center in the photo (the forum cut off these photos, I wish they were centered better)
Thanks for the other IDs! I was thinking that's what these guys were, but sometimes it's so hard to tell!
- dphershman
- Aquanaut
- Posts: 697
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:42 am
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
eliseaboo wrote:
My bad...perhaps the first isn't even a nudi ...I'm wondering about that pink spiky blob-looking thing sort of to the upper right of center in the photo (the forum cut off these photos, I wish they were centered better)
Thanks for the other IDs! I was thinking that's what these guys were, but sometimes it's so hard to tell!
The spiky looking thing is a tunicate. (strawberry tunicate perhaps?)
Janna-- that is an unusual looking nudi you've got there! It doesn't look like anything in Lamb's book It does have a couple of parasitic egg cases protruding from its back though. I've often seen those on Janolus fuscus
Dan Hershman
Re: Northwest Nudibranchs
Elise,
There's a handy way to post your photos so the whole thing is there, resized and clickable to get the whole pic. See the thread "easy way to post your photos" or something along those lines in the critter forum listing.
Good pix! You're doing great!
There's a handy way to post your photos so the whole thing is there, resized and clickable to get the whole pic. See the thread "easy way to post your photos" or something along those lines in the critter forum listing.
Good pix! You're doing great!
Dave
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com
"Clearly, you weren't listening to what I'm about to say."
--
Check out my Internet show:
http://www.irvingszoo.com