Peltodoris nobilis (MacFarland, 1905)

What is the sea lemon?

The sea lemon (Peltodoris nobilis), also called the noble dorid, is a large yellow dorid nudibranch of the northeastern Pacific, with a tubercled back marked by scattered dark brown spots and a distinctive lemony scent when handled.

Description

A large dorid nudibranch reaching up to about 20 cm. The body colour ranges from pale yellow through rich yellow to dark orange. The back is densely covered with rounded tubercles of various sizes, and scattered dark brown spots lie between them — never on the tubercles themselves — with the number of spots varying greatly between individuals. The gills form a rosette at the rear, tipped with white. When handled, the animal gives off a pleasant lemon-like smell.

Distribution

Occurs in the northeastern Pacific from Alaska to Baja California. The type locality is Monterey Bay, California. It lives from the intertidal into the shallow rocky subtidal.

Etymology

The specific epithet nobilis is Latin for "noble" or "renowned". The common name "noble dorid" reflects the same word.

Remarks

It feeds on sponges, including Mycale adhaerens. Several other yellow dorids look similar, but the dark spots lying between (never on) the tubercles, together with the lemony scent, help identify this species.

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References

• Montereina nobilis n.sp., MacFarland F.M. (1905). A preliminary account of the Dorididae of Monterey Bay, California. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 18: 35-54.
• Peltodoris nobilis, Behrens D.W., Hermosillo A., Fletcher K. & Jensen G.C. (2022). Nudibranchs & Sea Slugs of the Eastern Pacific. Molamarine.