Doris montereyensis J. G. Cooper, 1863

What is the Monterey dorid?

The Monterey dorid (Doris montereyensis) is a yellow, dark-speckled dorid nudibranch (a “sea lemon”) of the northeastern Pacific coast of North America.

Description

A large, oval, firm-bodied dorid, yellow to orange-yellow, its back covered with tubercles of varying size, many of them tipped with dark brown or black. The gills are yellow, the same colour as the body.

Distribution

Northeastern Pacific along the west coast of North America, from Alaska south to San Diego, California. The species was originally described from Monterey, California.

Etymology

The specific epithet montereyensis refers to Monterey, California, the type locality.

Remarks

A sponge feeder that grazes on encrusting sponges such as Haliclona. In English it is known as the Monterey dorid or Monterey sea lemon.

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References

• Doris montereyensis n.sp., Cooper J.G. (1863). On some new genera and species of California Mollusca. Proceedings of the California Academy of Natural Sciences. Series 1, 2: 202-207.
• Archidoris montereyensis, MacFarland F.M. (1966). Studies of opisthobranchiate mollusks of the Pacific coast of North America. Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences, 6: 1-546, pls. 1-72.
• Doris montereyensis, Behrens D.W., Hermosillo A., Fletcher K. & Jensen G.C. (2022). Nudibranchs & Sea Slugs of the Eastern Pacific. Molamarine.