Hudson's Horned Dorid

Acanthodoris hudsoni

Acanthodoris hudsoni is a translucent white sea slug, characterized by its mantle adorned with pointed papillae and a distinct milky yellow border. The gills and rhinophores are transparent with yellow-tipped ends, and the rhinophores are typically short and slightly curved. This species can be found along the Eastern Pacific coast, ranging from Alaska to San Diego and Santa Catalina Island, California, inhabiting benthic environments. It is often located in rocky reefs and other coastal habitats. Feeding primarily on an erect ctenostome bryozoan of the genus Alcyonidium, Acanthodoris hudsoni plays a role in the marine ecosystem by grazing on these organisms. As a simultaneous hermaphrodite, it engages in unique mating behavior where individuals may compete to determine which will act as male and which as female during reproduction. Eggs are laid on a substrate, developing into a planktonic larval stage before maturing into adults. Encounters with this species during dives can be intriguing, as divers may observe its delicate form and the way it moves along the substrate. The species has been recorded at various dive sites, indicating its relatively widespread presence in suitable habitats. Conservation status for Acanthodoris hudsoni is not evaluated, highlighting the need for further research on its population dynamics and habitat requirements.