One of these nudis is not like the other…
Even though nudibranchs are used to baring it all, there are still plenty of mysteries hiding in plain sight! Nudibranch species are often “cryptic”—nearly identical to the eye, but genetically distinct. These two beautiful slugs found in Monterey Bay were discovered to be two separate species just last year: Cockerell’s dorid on top (📷 Michael Alyono), and McDonald’s dorid on the bottom (📷 JR Sosky). Named after Dr. Gary McDonald from UC Santa Cruz, Limacia mcdonaldi joins the ranks of species for nudibranch fans to track down. A good tell you’ve found McDonald’s dorid? The racing stripe of dark orange bumps running down the middle of its backside. Time to update the nudie guest list!
