Lance's Doto

Doto lancei

Doto lancei is a small sea slug with a cream-colored body that features significant dark brown or black markings along its back and sides. The most prominent ceratal tubercles are adorned with dark rings at their bases and a darker spot at the tips, which aids in distinguishing it from other nudibranchs. This species is found in the eastern Pacific region, with sightings recorded from San Diego, California, to Costa Rica along the Pacific coast of North America. This nudibranch prefers benthic habitats and primarily feeds on hydroids, specifically Aglaophenia sp. As a simultaneous hermaphrodite, Doto lancei possesses both male and female reproductive organs. During the mating process, individuals engage in a behavior where they attempt to induce one another to take on male or female roles, resulting in one individual fertilizing the other’s eggs, which are then laid on a substrate. Divers may encounter Lance's Doto while exploring various substrates in its coastal habitat. Although it is not classified as a common species, it can be spotted at several dive sites. Its small size, reaching a maximum of 1.0 cm, makes it a subtle yet intriguing find for divers. The conservation status of this species has not been assessed, and there are no known threats to humans.