Golden-edged and fine-lined

  

It's hard to believe that this striking flatworm remains undescribed.  Abby noticed it in the low intertidal zone last week and Eric was able to get some video for documentation (see video clip below).

This flatworm is listed in the Intertidal Invertebrates of California (Morris, Abbott, and Haderlie 1980) as Eurylepta sp.  They didn't include an actual photo, but instead represented this species with a painting.  The colors are a little different, but I think you'll see the resemblance:

 

Modified slightly from Morris, Abbott, and Haderlie (1980) 

 

There have been more recent discussions regarding whether this flatworm is in the genus Prostheceraeous, but at this time we can't locate a reference to cite for that, so we'll just say that it's in the Euryleptidae family.

 

There are only a few records of this species in Marin County, and none that we know of north of there.  Most observations are in the Monterey area and farther south. 

 

If you happen to see one, we'd love to see photos and to hear about other records. 

 

And now for the video!  Eric put together a few clips so you can appreciate the color pattern and the flowing movements of this flatworm.  [If you're reading this in an e-mail, click on the title of the post above to go directly to the NHBH website to see the video player.]

 

 

 

With many thanks to Abby for sharing her observation and to Eric for creating the video!

Blue on blue

  

Eric and I have been busy with lots of early morning field work recently.  As we were walking on a beach in Marin County this morning, I looked down to see a Blue Buoy Barnacle (Dosima fascicularis) attached to a By-the-wind Sailor (Velella velella).

Blue Buoy Barnacles are pelagic (offshore) barnacles that float at the surface of the ocean.  They are unusual in northern California and can be indicators of warm-water conditions, or water that's normally farther offshore coming closer to the coast.  I'll have to check my notes, but I think the last time we saw one in our area was ~10 years ago (back in 2016).

With the high numbers of Velella washing ashore at this time, the chances of finding Dosima are greater as this barnacle often attaches to Velella floats. 

We're interested in other observations of Blue Buoy Barnacles in northern California, so keep your eyes open and if you happen to come across one, I'd love to hear about it! 

P.S.  For an introduction to Blue Buoy Barnacles, see the post called "Blue buoys!" on 31 August 2014.  And more information (and a great video!) can be found in the post called "Driftin' blues" on 23 September 2014. 

Cloud shadows

  

I was working on some photo organization tonight.  Here's a photo from early March -- a view from the Chimney Rock area.

Twilight

  

"Like the twilight at the end of the day" 

(Tedeschi Trucks Band)

A single rose

  

We haven't heard of too many Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch (Ceratodoris rosacea) observations recently, so kudos to Sam for spotting this individual today (13 November 2024).  And thanks to Eric for the great photo!  If you come across this species, we'd love to hear about your sightings.

Barrel bubble

  

Caroline spotted this intriguing gastropod in Tomales Bay on 7 August 2024.  It's a species we hadn't seen before, so Eric took some documentary photos and videos (see the wonderful video below!).

Although we need to confirm with experts, we think this is a barrel-bubble snail, Acteocina inculta.  This is generally described as a southern species, from either Monterey Bay or Morro Bay southward.  There are a couple of museum records for San Francisco, but it's possible this is the first record for Marin County — we'll need to do more research on museum records.

Acteocina inculta is a small head-shield slug (this individual's shell was a little over 3 mm long).  Note the head-shield in front of the shell — and that the back edge of the head-shield is split into two rounded lobes.

Eric captured some very nice video footage of this hard-to-find species, so here you go!  

[If you can't see the video player in the e-mail message, click on the title of post above to go directly to the NHBH website.]

With many thanks to Caroline for her sharp eyes and hard work!