Acanthodoris lutea MacFarland, 1925

Description

A small dorid nudibranch reaching about 30 mm in length. The body is yellow to orange, with yellow markings scattered across the dorsum and numerous spinose tubercles arranged over the back. The rhinophores are translucent yellow to orange, and the gills are paler than the body.

Distribution

Originally described from the California coast. Subsequently recorded from Cape Arago, Oregon, south to northern Baja California, Mexico, along the temperate eastern Pacific.

Etymology

The specific epithet lutea is Latin for "yellow", in reference to the vivid yellow-to-orange body colouration.

Remarks

Feeds on bryozoans.

---

References

• Acanthodoris lutea n. sp., MacFarland F.M. (1925). The Acanthodorididae of the California coast. The Nautilus. 39(2): 49-65.
• Acanthodoris lutea, Behrens D.W., Hermosillo A., Fletcher K. & Jensen G.C. (2022). Nudibranchs & Sea Slugs of the Eastern Pacific. Molamarine.