Northwest Nudibranchs

[Chevayea]

It always easier for me to remember the common name on 'em.

I know what you mean, and for some nudis that is definitely true. For others.... not so much.

For instance, Flabellina triophina, one of my favorites doesn't have a "common" name that sticks in my head. Or it is different from ID book to ID book and so there isn't a settled name.

Like it or not, sometimes nothing will do but the Latin name if you want to actually get specific about what critter you're actually talking about.

There's lots of common names for any one type of nudibranch, but only one scientific name. If someone is doing a search on the internet for what we normally call a 'Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch', you'd have to sort it out from all of these 'common' names used elsewhere in the world:

'Common Grey Sea Slug, Maned Nudibranch, Mossy Nudibranch, Papillose Aeolid, Sea Mouse, Shag Rug Nudibranch, Shag-Rug Aeolis, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch'.

Its much more efficient to search for the scientific name, Aeolidia papillosa to find it. I try to put both the regional common names in my posts as well as the scientific name, so that anyone searching on the critter will have a hopefully easier time finding my post.

Absolutely, I didn't mean to knock the use of the official names, that is definitely more accurate. But this one is pretty well known for that common name too. Just trying to help 'em out since this one is often locally referenced by the common name too... Maybe not by you , but I can never remember those latin names

[Dusty2]

A few pretties from my January trip to Port Townsend

[dphershman]

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[Tom Nic]

I was just curious about how widespread the name Red-Gilled Nudibranch is and I came up with three that are labeled as such.

How common a "common" name is certainly varies by region. Or it may be "common" because that is the only name a person has learned it by. But once you get out of your area even a littel bit common names change a ton!

For the great majority of us divers it's a great accomplishment learning the "common" name of the critter in their area. In lots of cases that will more than suffice.

For any that are serious about specific ID of a particular nudi a scientific name will help immensely - especially in correspondence with "experts" in the field who hardly ever use a common name.

Most of the ID books that we commonly use have a latin name as well. I'm trying to use both as much as I can - particulaly when identifying a critter whose pic I'm uploading. I've actually been contacted about the use of pictures that I had posted because the researcher searched by the Latin names and thus found pics that wouldn't have been found any other way.

Fun!

[Chevayea]

I was just curious about how widespread the name Red-Gilled Nudibranch is and I came up with three that are labeled as such.

Nevemind. That's the name I learned them by but now I wish I wouldn't have posted

[Tom Nic]

I was just curious about how widespread the name Red-Gilled Nudibranch is and I came up with three that are labeled as such.

Nevemind. That's the name I learned them by but now I wish I wouldn't have posted

No worries. Really! This is a discussion that can be helpful - it's not personal in any way. Everyone's made their points, and points taken.

See you all in the water...

[dphershman]

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[olyvtx]

Wow, good info to know! I'll have to go double check some of my ID's. Thanks Dan.

[dieseldude]

Anyone name this for me. Down on Hood canal at flagpole.

No gills on this one? same kind?

[Dusty2]

Those are both nobel dorids NOT! almost blew that one! After taking a closer look they are Odner's

Here you go mike, I did a little tweeking for you.dorids

[dieseldude]

Thanks Rich, I would have been digging forever to figure those 2 out. :hello2:

[karin_f]

Another "speck of lint" (less than 1 cm) nudibranch on kelp in about 20 fsw in Rich Passage, Puget Sound. White crusted aeolid, Cuthona albocrusta.

Cuthona albocrusta eating

still eating...

[Tom Nic]

I love the random and "rare" nudibranchs that pop up from time to time. Their small size makes them practically invisible to the casual diver. Either dumb luck (in my case) or the studious use of a magnifying glass combined with a bit of knowledge as to where to look (proper habitat) results in their happy discovery.

Thanks for sharing the pics!

[Blaiz]

Amazing that this thread (which I hadn't seen before) was resurrected today, as Starmonkie and I were out exploring Camano Island State park yesterday. I saw three different flavours of hooded nudi, which thrilled me, cause I haven't seen any before. These were white-gutted, one free-swimmer with orange guts, and one with the little white spots!

[Dusty2]

OK here are the nudies from this week at Port Townsend

The attachment 0222eecu.jpg is no longer available

[dieseldude]

This is one of my fav threads. I had to bump it back into view. I know you are all see'in lots-o-nudi's. Lets see'em.
Heres a couple locals:

This comes from the top of the Geodome in Mukilteo. I am not a slug specialist but I think it is a Barnacle Eating Nudibranch aka Onchidoris Bilamellata.

Heres one from the side of the Geodome. Your basic Opalescant Nudibranch, Hermissenda Crassicornis.
MJ

[dwashbur]

Correct on both counts. The crassicornis seem to be really pale right now; something about their food, maybe. I wouldn't know, I've been sidelined for a while and REALLY want to get back in the water (just as soon as I get over a cold, now).

[dphershman]

here's a couple too--- both photographed in Sechelt Inlet last week.

Here's a Flabellina verucosa about the size of a grain of rice. You can see his two eyes on the top of its 'head'



and an Acanthodoris hudsoni. Love the long rhinophores.

[Dusty2]

Haven't been using this thread lately but since I started it I guess I should contribute once in awhile, All from PT
this is Janolus fuscus

This is a very small nudie that most will never see, these guys top out at around 1/4" Eubranchus sanjuanensis

This one is dendronotus subramosus

[dieseldude]

I was sneaking around in your back yard again Rich. I only got one long dive in but the diversity never lets me down. No prize photos here but you get an idea of the abundant selection. I am not sure if this 1st one is a Dall's Dendronotid or a Multicolor Dendronotid. Maybe you can help me out.

I believe this one is a Nanaimo. Again, if I am mistaken, please let me know & explain the subtle differences.

This next guy wasnt far away but I was thinking Hudsons Dorid for him.

My dive buddy(agent 47) spotted this Giant Red Dendranotid & I found this bundle of eggs not far from him(her?) so I will put the blame for the eggs sqarely on this critter but I can't prove it.

You'll not the current is blowing so hard that it is laying this guy over flat. At least he had something to hold on too! This was down on the tip of the Jetty just up from the barge. Seems like the current is always the worst right there.

Clear me up on this next one. It looks like the one you just posted but I would have called it Flabellina Verrucosa if I hadnt seen your pic 1st. You can tell by the orange sociall ascidian next to it that it is very small. Which do I have here? I saw several of them on this dive-all quite small.

My last contribution from the Point is a Spotted Aglajid which I have only seen a few times & never before in PT. I found 2 of them on this dive.

Where did all the eelgrass go Rich?

MJ

[dieseldude]

Just to be clear, PT isnt the only home for pretty nudi's-The white lined Dirona's are out in force at Cove 2 these days and I found some striped nudibranch as well.

I noted this last weekend that the white lined are thinning down a bit but there are still many Diamond Back Tritonia slinking about.

MJ

[Dusty2]

Nice work Mike, Your right on most of them. The first one is D. albus, versacolor no longer exists. The science types say they are both albus now.

The little red guy is F. vericousa. He is easily twice the size of E. sanjuanensis and you will never find sanjuanensis out in the open. They are always associated with a certain hydroid and will be hidden in it's branches. They would be less than the size of one of those assidians. Next time we meet in PT I'll see if I can find some to point out to you though you may not even see them then. Most people don't. They just look at me like what the heck are you pointing at?

Those eggs are definitely from the big red nudie I am very happy to say. I have never seen them lay at PT. That's a very good sign that they may stick around. I love those guys, they are so beautiful but they are tough to get a good picture of.

Yes the barge and along the jetty is pretty much the apex of the current in the bay. That is why it is so rich in life. Also why I always caution people about currents there. They are always double or more from the predicted currents at the current station. They also are almost always running outward due to the eddy effect of the point.

[dieseldude]

This isnt necessarily one of my fav's but how can you resist a smile like this?

MJ

[Dusty2]

Haven't post here in awhile so I thought I'd post a couple.

[dphershman]

Interesting looking leopard there in the fourth frame. Where was this fellow located? Most leopards in Puget Sound have blotchy spots, those near the coast have darker smaller spots like this one.