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Armina californica
Size:
It grows up to 8 cm long, 2 cm wide.
Range:
Kayak Island, Gulf of Alaska to Panama. This specimen was found in Olympia, Washington (Puget Sound).
Description:
Oval shaped with longitudinal strips of gray, brown, red-brown, black, light-pink or white on the dorsal side. Has a series of flap-like gills on either side of the body, in a groove between the foot and an overhanging fold of skin. No branched gills. Armina has no branchial plume or cerata visible on the dorsum. The rhinophores project through a notch at the anterior edge of the dorsum. The rhinophores are complex sensory structures, small eyes occur at the base of them. The two rhinophores of Armina seem to come from a common base and to be directed forward, instead of arising separately and pointing almost straight upward. A white to cream line delineates the edge of the dorsum and foot.
Habitat:
Does not usually inhabit the intertidal zone, so it's very unlikely to find Armina californica while you're beach walking or tidepool gazing. As a sand dweller, Armina californica pushes its way through sand or mud-sand bottoms anywhere from low intertidial zones to 80 meters deep.
Misidentification:
Very recognizable due to distinguishing pigmentation.
Life History and Reproduction:
Nudibranchs are hermaphroditic, having both male and female sex organs. Mating nudibranchs exchange sperm through a common aperture, a protruding tube on the side of their body which joins a similar aperture on the mating partner. Eggs are laid in a pale, pink brown spirally wound, converted chain of capsules, each capsule, containing 3-22 eggs. Incubation of the eggs can be up to 50 days, but normally much shorter.
Natural History:
Armina californica prey upon sea pens, sponges, hydroids and other small invertebrates. When feeding Armina californica use suction to ingest pieces of their prey. As a defense mechanism, Armina californica often retain noxious chemicals.
Predators:
Fish are the main predators of Armina californica, but due to their defense mechanism, they are not preyed upon greatly.
Last updated Tuesday, September 05, 2006, by Lisa Ferrier
