DSC_5856 Gem nudibranch (Dendrodoris krusensternii) detail of pattern. The most beautiful of the NZ dorids. Fawn-pink mantle with cream pustules and chocolate brown depressions between them, with intense blue central spots. Habitat ranges from coralline algal turf in the intertidal zone, to kelp forests and rock walls in deeper water. Waiwera
DSC_0839 Fire janolus (Janolus ignis) subtidal, known from the Poor Knights in the north, to as far south as the Bounties, in the subantarctic. Southern animals are orange and feed on Orthoscuticella ventricosa, northern ones are deep red, feeding on Orthoscuticella aff. margaritacea. This individual, found washed ashore at Kakanui after a storm, is the typical southern form. Cats Eye Point, Kakanui *
DSC_0833 Fire janolus (Janolus ignis) subtidal, known from the Poor Knights in the north, to as far south as the Bounties, in the subantarctic. Southern animals are orange and feed on Orthoscuticella ventricosa, northern ones are deep red, feeding on Orthoscuticella aff. margaritacea. This individual, found washed ashore at Kakanui after a storm, is the typical southern form. Cats Eye Point, Kakanui