How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Acanthodoris hudsoni has yellow on the tips of the rhinophores and gills, has a yellow band around its margin, and usually has 5 gills. Geographical Range: Baranof Island, Alaska to Santa Barbara, CA; less common in southern portion of range. Depth Range: Low intertidal to 10 m Habitat: Biology/Natural History: This species is said to feed on compound ascidians and on bryozoans such as Alcyonidium spp. It lays its egs in whorled ribbons of capsules which stand on edge on the rocks they are laid on. The eggs are white to cream colored. Kozloff's key states that there is no yellow band around the
margin
of this distinctive species. This individual seems to have at
least
a partial yellow band around the margin so it may be another color
phase
of this variable species or it could possibly be a hybrid with a
related
species such as A.
hudsoni,
which does have such a band.
References:Dichotomous Keys:Kozloff 1987, 1996 Smith and Carlton, 1975 General References:
Scientific Articles:
Web sites:
General Notes and Observations: Locations, abundances, unusual behaviors:
Authors and Editors of Page: Dave Cowles (2007): Created original page CSS coding for page developed by Jonathan Cowles (2007) |