Who’s That (Yellow) Dorid

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Yes, yes I do feel somehow better now that I have compiled the following for you. Thanks for asking.

Monterey Sea Lemons and Pacific Sea Lemons are commonly confused with one another (and other yellow dorid-like nudibranchs).

On a recent dive, I was able to get photos of the two species oriented the same way AND when their gills were not retracted! I hoped that by putting these photos side-by-side, it would be useful to others to identify the species.

The easiest differences to discern who is who, are the colour of the gills (yellow or white) and whether the black markings are at the tips of some of the tubercles or not.

I’ve added photos to show (1) their very different egg masses and (2) the variation of colour within the species.

You’re welcome. 💙

The Pacific Sea Lemon is also known as the Noble Sea Lemon.

The name of the Monterey Sea Lemon (aka Monterey Dorid) does not help with clearing up confusion as it is very commonly seen far to the north of Monterey.

Both eat sponges.

The following ranges for the species are as provided by Behrens et al, Nudibranchs & Sea Slugs of the Eastern Pacific:

  • Pacific Sea Lemon: Kodiak, Alaska to Punta Banta, Baja California
  • Monterey Sea Lemon: Kachemak Bay, Alaska to Punta Banta, Baja California

Yes, one day I will another blog discerning all the yellow dorid-like nudibranchs common to British Columbia e.g. Heath’s Dorid, Geitodoris heathi.

Photos: All taken around northeast Vancouver Island, Territory of the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw (the Kwak̕wala-speaking Peoples), ©Jackie Hildering.

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