Doriopsis pecten Collingwood, 1881

Doriopsis pecten is easily recognized by its dark blue body. It is nearly always found on a dark blue sponge Terpios granulosa, upon which it is very hard to see. It is possible that the earlier name of Doriopsis viridis Pease, 1861, should be given to these animals, but this latter species is reported to be green in color. All the 27 specimens we have observed here in the Marshalls have been mostly blue in color, although a few had a faint greenish tinge. They live mostly in the intertidal and very shallow subtidal, but we have seen specimens down to a depth of about 8 meters. Eleven measured specimens ranged from 3 to 11mm in length.

The next photo shows the peculiar gills of species of Doriopsis.

Often the nudibranch blends in so well on its normal food sponge, the only way it gets noticed is by the presence of egg masses in the vicinity, which are, as in the photo below, usually not deposited directly on the prey sponge. The two egg masses here are probably just different ages; it is likely the lower one was put down first and the developing larvae may be getting ready to hatch out.

Created 11 December 2006
Updated 28 November 2008