Modest Cadlina

Cadlina modesta

Modest Cadlina is a species of sea slug that can reach a body size of up to 35 mm. It is characterized by its soft, elongated body typical of dorid nudibranchs. This species was first described from Point Pinos in California and has been recorded from various locations along the eastern Pacific, ranging from Juneau, Alaska, to Isla Guadalupe in Baja California, Mexico. Divers may find it in benthic environments, often in subtropical waters, where it inhabits rocky reefs and other similar habitats. This nudibranch primarily feeds on sponges, specifically species from the genera Aplysilla and Halisarca. As a simultaneous hermaphrodite, Modest Cadlina exhibits unique mating behaviors where two individuals engage in a courtship ritual, ultimately determining which will act as male and which as female. After mating, eggs are laid on a suitable substrate, where they develop into a planktonic larval stage before maturing into adults. Encountering Modest Cadlina during a dive can be an interesting experience, as they often blend into their surroundings, making them somewhat cryptic. Divers should look for them on the seafloor or among sponges. The conservation status of this species has not been evaluated.