87 — Lemon nudibranch, Dendrodoris citrina

Dendrodoris citrina, Tamaki Drive, 2016.

Dendrodoris citrina, under Ngapipi Bridge,
Tamaki Drive, 2016. The chiton in the
top right is Acanthochitona zelandica
(Quoy & Gaimard, 1835).

Dendrodoris citrina, Takapuna Reef, 2015.

Dendrodoris citrina, under Ngapipi Bridge
Tamaki Drive, 2016.

The lemon nudibranch, Dendrodoris citrina * is found throughout New Zealand waters and are endemic. They are frequently seen around the low tide mark, amongst coraline algae and in pools.

Dendrodoris citrina is one of the most silt-tolerant of New Zealand's nudibranchs and is one of the most common nudibranchs seen off Auckland's Tamaki Drive. However, they are also found on more exposed coasts and are supposedly nocturnal.

They are thought to feed on the orange solitary ascidian (Microcosmus sp.), but they may also feed in sponges. For such a common species I was surprised at how little information I could find regarding their ecology. The individuals pictured below were found in less than half a metre of water and ranged in size between ~50–70mm.

* (Cheeseman, 1881)

Two Dendrodoris citrina,  mating,
Mission Bay, Tamaki Drive, 2016.

More info:

http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/dendcitr

Willan, R.C.; Morton, J.E. 1984. Marine Molluscs Part 2: Opisthobranchia. University of Auckland, Leigh Marine Laboratory, Leigh, New Zealand. 106 Pp.