Is this a nudibranch?

Hello,

I went for a dive in Beaufort, NC two weekends ago (5.28.2005) and I found this creature on the sand close to one of the wrecks. I think I shot this one on the Spar or Aeolus.

Is it a nudibranch as I called it or something else?

What species is it?

Nudibranch picture?

(http://pambucol.no-ip.com/all_my_pics/Beaufort_5_28_2005/generated/nudibranch4.htm)

Thank you

Vlad

Yep! Its a nudi. And a nice one. I couldn't tell you the species without a book. But I am sure others can. Alex

I believe it may be a Dondice occidentalis. Photos of the head area would help.

Cheers,

Marli

Thank you for your answers.

I don't have any other angles for the nudibranch ... I guess I was too cold to think straight and I also had a 7 ft. sand tiger shark waiting for me to take its picture ...

Vlad

I'd guess this is an undescribed Janolus species - I say that because there appears to be a caruncle between its rhinophores, and it sure looks like a Janolus. Too bad you don't have a head shot so we could see that inter-rhinophoral area.

I bet Ms. Wakeling was fooled by the Sea Slug Forum picture (http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=dondocci), which does indeed show some Janolus's (Janoli?) that look like this one.

The only other Atlantic Janolus I know of is Janolus cristatus, but this doesn't look like one.

I wonder if this is in fact a Pacific species carried into the Atlantic in ship's bilge water, or by Martians messing with our heads?

-Ray

Yes,

I missed that 'ol caruncle! <_< Actually, this is the link I looked at to try and figure it out:

http://www.medslugs.de/E/Atl-W/Dondice_occidentalis_09.htm

but it's probably the same critter. I've looked at all the Janolus sp. I can find reference to, and can't seem to find it, so may be worth sending it in to the Slug Forum and maybe someone will recognise it.

Cheers,

Marli