CAL COAST DIVERS . COM
HELPING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVERS DO WHAT THEY DO BEST; DIVE
Contributed on July 1, 2002
Updated: May 7, 2004
We hope to introduce the divers of Southern California to research now occurring off of the Southern California coast. If you know of any worthy research now occurring, or that has happened in the past, drop us a line at info@calcoastdivers.com to post on our site and create a link to your web site! Thanks for checking us out!
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SPECIES SERVER | ALGAE | SPONGES | BRYOZOANS | ANEMONES | SEA FANS | NUDIBRANCHS | LIMPETS | CHITON | CLAMS | MUSCLES | SCALLOPS | OCTOPI | FEATHER WORMS | SHRIMP | LOBSTER | CRABS | BARNACLES | SEA STARS | SEA URCHINS | SEA CUCUMBER | SHRIMP | SEA SQUIRTS | SHARKS | SKATES | RAYS | BONEY FISH |
PHYLUM: MOLLUSCA
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CLASS: GASTROPODA
NUDIBRANCHS
Nudibranchs have three main body features that make
differentiating b
etween
the species a bit easier. These features are:
1) The body: refers to the main portion of the nudibranch to which the cerata and rhinophores described below are attached. Descriptions of the bodies will be given since the coloration of the body as well as proportions will assist in identifying the species.
2) The cerata: typically the most striking part of the nudibranch are the cerata which are located on the back of the nudibranch. These structures vary in number, thickness, and density depending upon the species. The cerata are typically obtained from the prey of the nudibranch, generally but not exclusively cnidarians, and serve as protection against predators.
3) The rhinophores: Rhinophores are the horn like sturctures that extend from the head region of the nudibranch. As can be seen to the picture to the left many nudibranchs have two pairs of prominent rhinophores. The rhinophores labeled in yellow as 1 will be referred to as the aft most rhinophores while the yellow 2 rhinophores will be referred to as the ventral most rhinophores
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SPANISH SHAWL
Common
Name: Spanish Shawl / Elegant Eolid
Genus
and Species: Flabellinopsis iodinea
Distinctive
Features:
1) The body: These nudibranchs have flattened, flourescent purple body coloring which may fluctuate from the top of the
2) The cerata: The Spanish Shawl has oblong oval shaped cerata which are usually bright orange in color. Unlike nudibranchs in other subclasses, the cerata of this species extend from just below the rhinophores to just within the tip of the body.
3) The rhinophores: Rhinophoresantenae; 1 the aft pair of antennae are blood red, and the 2 rhinophores dorsal most pair are bright floursecent blue antennae, the very distinctive bright orange
Distribution:
These fish can be found throughout southern and central California.
Behavior:
When it comes to finding food these fish will wait in the kelp and ambush their
prey when younger. Adults (also called toads by fisherman when they get
very large) will usually wait behind a rock in the kelp forest, either
positioning itself in a crevice or laying down on a rock in ambush. In
midwater or hiding in wait these fish are usually wary of divers. This is
in stark contrast to calicos found in marine reserves which have become
accustomed to divers.
Diet:
Habitat:
These fish can be found at the top of the kelp canopy all the way down to the
bottom of the sea floor to depths of up to 60 feet. As discussed above
these fish are quite shy in nature but in reserves can by quite unafraid if not
almost aggressive.
Fun
Facts:
Permits
and Regulations:
-
SEA LEMON
Common
Name: Sea Lemon
Genus
and Species: Anisodoris nobilis
Distinctive
Features:
1) The body: These nudibranchs have flattened, flourescent purple body coloring which may fluctuate from the top of the
2) The cerata: The Spanish Shawl has oblong oval shaped cerata which are usually bright orange in color. Unlike nudibranchs in other subclasses, the cerata of this species extend from just below the rhinophores to just within the tip of the body.
3) The rhinophores: Rhinophoresantenae; 1 the aft pair of antennae are blood red, and the 2 rhinophores dorsal most pair are bright floursecent blue antennae, the very distinctive bright orange
Distribution:
These fish can be found throughout southern and central California.
Behavior:
When it comes to finding food these fish will wait in the kelp and ambush their
prey when younger. Adults (also called toads by fisherman when they get
very large) will usually wait behind a rock in the kelp forest, either
positioning itself in a crevice or laying down on a rock in ambush. In
midwater or hiding in wait these fish are usually wary of divers. This is
in stark contrast to calicos found in marine reserves which have become
accustomed to divers.
Diet:
Habitat:
These fish can be found at the top of the kelp canopy all the way down to the
bottom of the sea floor to depths of up to 60 feet. As discussed above
these fish are quite shy in nature but in reserves can by quite unafraid if not
almost aggressive.
Fun
Facts:
Permits
and Regulations:
LIMPETS
Limpets These features are:
-
KEYHOLE LIMPET
Common
Name: Keyhole Limpet
Genus
and Species: Megathura crenulata
Distinctive
Features:
1) The body: Thes
Distribution:
This specie of limpit can be found throughout Southern California as well as
the islands of Southern California.
Diet: This specie of limpet like the others is a grazer which
feeds off of algae as well as tunicates.
Habitat:
These fish can be found at the top of the kelp canopy all the way down to the
bottom of the sea floor to depths of up to 60 feet. As discussed above
these fish are quite shy in nature but in reserves can by quite unafraid if not
almost aggressive.
Fun
Facts:
Permits
and Regulations:
Development of these pages is currently ongoing. If you have any tips or ideas on how to make this page a better resource please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you out in the water! Over the next month we will unveil more specimens, with more information on life cycles, interactions, as well as links which will provide you with information on where and why you can expect to see certain species in certain areas. If you have any questions or comments please address them to info@calcoastdivers.com and one of our friendly staff will respond to your inquiry within 24 hours. We sincerely hope these pages will be of some benefit to you as you browse through our pages.
Copyrighted by Ryan Jaeger & Matthew J. Wahlrab 2002 - 20032