Acanthodoris nanaimoensis

The Nanaimo Dorid

Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
SubclassOpistobranchia
Order Nudibranchia
Suborder Doridacea
Family Onchidoridie
Genus Acanthordoris
Species nanaimoensis

Description: 2 to 3 cm long;color is white to gray; tall conical papillae are tipped with yellow; rhinophores and gills are fringed with brown to purple; body shape is an elongated oval, with tiny projections covering the upper surface; this nudibranch has a dark and light phase; the darker markings occur during the dark phase.

Habitat: Found on floats and docks, sometimes on rocks near low-tide lines.

Natural History: These Nudibranchs feed on bryozoans and possibly sponges, and can be found clustered around areas where their prey grows. It is possible that these nudibranchs come into shallower water seasonally, as we found specimens near the end of summer only at Percival Landing.