Two more critters...

bnboly · Post by **bnboly** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:16 pm

I saw these two critters last Satrurday at Solo Point - between Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest and Eastern Pacific Nudibranchs I'm a bit confused. Critter IDing is still relatively new for me...

This first one I haven't been able to find a match for anything that is supposed to be in our area...

This one seems to be either a White Dendronotid or White and Orange Tipped Nudibranch

The only editing was to crop the original photos.

Your thoughts?

Huskychemist · Post by **Huskychemist** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:28 pm

I'd say the second one is an opalescent nudibranch, Hermissenda crassicornis.

I'm not sure on the first one...I'll be doing some looking...

Great pictures!

Lowell

bnboly · Post by **bnboly** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:04 am

Lowell, I think you may be right. Instead of the White Dendronotid (Dendronotus albus)or White and Orange Tipped Nudibranch (Janolus fuscus) the more I look at the picture in Marine Life of the Northwest on page 267 the more it does look like the opalescent nudibranch, (Hermissenda crassicornis).

Zen Diver · Post by **Zen Diver** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:51 am

Yep, second is an opalescent. No clue as to the first tho.

-Valerie

Tom Nic · Post by **Tom Nic** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:29 am

I really would like to try diving Solo Point... it is so close to me.

I suppose I need to find out if only stickered vehicles are allowed to go there... do you go through a military checkpoint to get there? If not, my assumption would be that it's "open" to the public?

thelawgoddess · Post by **thelawgoddess** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:33 pm

nice finds! that first one looks pretty neat. (the 2nd has always been my favorite - even before i started diving!)

John Rawlings · Post by **John Rawlings** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:21 pm

That first shot is very, very intriguing! I've not seen anything quite like it up here.

I wonder if it might not be Cerberilla mosslandica, which is item 262 on page 116 of Eastern Pacific Nudibranchs, but the head doesn't seem quite the same and the range shown only extends north to Bandon, Oregon.

I sent an e-mail off to Dave Behrens, one of the authors, asking for his input. I'm hopeful that I will hear back from him because I am really, REALLY curious!

Here's a couple of links that look like it as well:

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=cerbmoss

http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=19378

They also state that the photos were taken up in British Columbia, so clearly this species is also found ABOVE Oregon!

- John

nwscubamom · Post by **nwscubamom** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:00 pm

That is a FANTASTIC find!!!!! Wowzers!!!

I agree with John that it's Cerberilla mosslandica. Can't wait to hear from Dave for confirmation!

Looks like a pinecone, doesn't it?

- Janna

bnboly · Post by **bnboly** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:16 pm

Thanks for the help IDing these critters. I learn a bit more each time I dive trying to ID what I'm able to get pictures of. It also helps that I am finally starting to get some good books to help with the process!

Now I need to get back to Solo Point and see if I can spot any more Moss Landing Aeolids, Cerberilla mosslandica. The one pictured here was about 1 to 1.5" long.

John Rawlings · Post by **John Rawlings** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:08 am

Here is Dave's response:

Wow – You have a find here! It is C. mosslandica. Can you send me a medium size image and the collection data? New geographic range extension. Thanks.

The second critter is Hermissenda. Up here the cerata have that long white line.

Thanks!

David Behrens
5091 Debbie Court
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
253-851-5622
http://www.seachallengers.com

bnboly - I'm sending you a PM with Dave's e-mail address if you would like to send him the image and dive site information he is requesting.

- John

bnboly · Post by **bnboly** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:27 am

Not a problem, I'll gladly send him the information.

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:35 am

Wow, congrats man! That's exciting stuff!!! You just extended their known range and added to scientific discovery! $\:D/$ Great find!

Cwest · Post by **Cwest** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:41 am

Zen Diver · Post by **Zen Diver** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:37 am

WAY COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wav:

-Valerie

Sergeant Pepper · Post by **Sergeant Pepper** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:05 am

That's it, I'm going to have to get a camera!

BASSMAN · Post by **BASSMAN** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:41 am

Way to go Bill!

:wav:

Northwest Dive Club

Two more critters...

Two more critters...

Second one...