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Three Marsenina stearnsi (Stearn's Ear Shell) were found in the shallow intertidal zone on a rock face nowhere near the compound tunicate they feed on. Rather than being camouflaged and difficult to see, they stood out. They were also larger than has been noted by previous observers, being slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm). I thought this was a sea slug at first, but noticed that tiny barnacles were living on the back of one, suggesting a shell was present beneath its white, pored mantle.
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Three Marsenina stearnsi (Stearn's Ear Shell) were found in the shallow intertidal zone on a rock face nowhere near the compound tunicate they feed on. Rather than being camouflaged and difficult to see, they stood out. They were also larger than has been noted by previous observers, being slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm). I thought this was a sea slug at first, but noticed that tiny barnacles were living on the back of one, suggesting a shell was present beneath its white, pored mantle.
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Three Marsenina stearnsi (Stearn's Ear Shell) were found in the shallow intertidal zone on a rock face nowhere near the compound tunicate they feed on. Rather than being camouflaged and difficult to see, they stood out. They were also larger than has been noted by previous observers, being slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm). I thought this was a sea slug at first, but noticed that tiny barnacles were living on the back of one, suggesting a shell was present beneath its white, pored mantle.
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Subtidal. Pulled up on settling plates and associated lines in the harbor, while surveying for tunicates.
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Three Marsenina stearnsi (Stearn's Ear Shell) were found in the shallow intertidal zone on a rock face nowhere near the compound tunicate they feed on. Rather than being camouflaged and difficult to see, they stood out. They were also larger than has been noted by previous observers, being slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm). I thought this was a sea slug at first, but noticed that tiny barnacles were living on the back of one, suggesting a shell was present beneath its white, pored mantle.
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"This adorable mollusk was about 1/2"" long - very bright orange. Snazzy gold speckling on tips of 'rhinophores,' faint row of dark dots around the periphery of its sponge-like body. Had some sort of opening in front, presumably respiration?"
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Subtidal. Pulled up on settling plates and associated lines in the harbor, while surveying for tunicates.
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"This adorable mollusk was about 1/2"" long - very bright orange. Snazzy gold speckling on tips of 'rhinophores,' faint row of dark dots around the periphery of its sponge-like body. Had some sort of opening in front, presumably respiration?"
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"This adorable mollusk was about 1/2"" long - very bright orange. Snazzy gold speckling on tips of 'rhinophores,' faint row of dark dots around the periphery of its sponge-like body. Had some sort of opening in front, presumably respiration?"
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"This adorable mollusk was about 1/2"" long - very bright orange. Snazzy gold speckling on tips of 'rhinophores,' faint row of dark dots around the periphery of its sponge-like body. Had some sort of opening in front, presumably respiration?"
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"They've grown! Now about 2/3"" long."
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"They've grown! Now about 2/3"" long."
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"They've grown! Now about 2/3"" long."
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"Group of four, all about 1/2"" long. Dark purple coloration with yellow mottling, even on the tail. (Is this an infection?) Looked like miniature sea hares."
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"Group of four, all about 1/2"" long. Dark purple coloration with yellow mottling, even on the tail. (Is this an infection?) Looked like miniature sea hares."
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"Group of four, all about 1/2"" long. Dark purple coloration with yellow mottling, even on the tail. (Is this an infection?) Looked like miniature sea hares."
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"Group of four, all about 1/2"" long. Dark purple coloration with yellow mottling, even on the tail. (Is this an infection?) Looked like miniature sea hares."
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