BEACHCOMBER

THE RINGED NUDIBRANCH, a jelly-bodied, shell-less mollusk, is a species of sea slug. The specific epithet of its scientific name, diaulula sandiegensis, means “of San Diego,” although it’s not clear why the species was named after our region. It can be found from British Columbia to Baja California. Also known as ringed-spotted dorid, leopard dorid and San Diego dorid, the creature tolerates water temperatures from 0 to 68 degrees and lives in intertidal zones among rocks and ledges as well as in kelp, feeding on several different kinds of sponges. The diaulula sandiegensis grows up to four inches long and its coloring can range from white to shades of yellow and brown. The frilly part is its gills. When spawning, it lays a spiral casing containing millions of eggs. This particular specimen was found on the Coronado shoreline in San Diego Bay. ■

Class: Gastropoda Order: Nudibranchia Family: Discodorididae Genus: Diaulula Species: D. sandiegensis

Ringed nudibranch

CORONADOBEACHCOMBER

Coronado’s shoreline changes with the weather, tides and time of year. Coronadobeachcomber explores our shores daily on the beach or at the bay, paying attention to the interesting animals, shells and sea life. Follow @coronadobeachcomber on Instagram.