Marsenina stearnsii
From Natural History of Southeast Alaska
Stearn's ear-shell (Marsenina stearnsii): This fascinating little species looks just like a cryptic nudibranch, but careful examination will reveal a dorsal slit in the mantle that eventually widens to reveal the top of the animal's shell. M. stearnsii is differentiated from Marsenina rhombica by its small, evenly spaced pores. Also, M. rhombica may be warty or spotted. M. stearnsii is a noted predator of Didemnid tunicates, and has been observed to feed on the invasive Marine vomit (Didemnum vexillum) in our area. The shell is possibly not a sufficient basis for identification down to the species level.
Local Notes
References
Weblinks
- WSU Beach Watchers page for Marsenina stearnsii
- Intertidal invertebrates of the monterrey Bay area, CA page for Marsenina stearnsii
- Gastropods of the Pacific Northwest page for Marsenina stearnsii
- WoRMS Page for Marsenina stearnsii
- Search Arctos Database for Marsenina stearnsii (Southeast only)
- Search Arctos Database for Marsenina stearnsii (entire database)
- Encyclopedia of Life search for Marsenina stearnsii
- iNaturalist Observations for Marsenina stearnsii in Southeast Alaska
Other References