About Dendronotus iris J.G.Cooper, 1863
Dendronotus iris J.G.Cooper, 1863 can reach a maximum length of around 30 centimeters, though most individuals grow to about 10 centimeters. This nudibranch species has extremely variable coloration. Its color ranges from translucent white or gray to orange or red, and individuals may also have white spots or scattered brownish patches. This species has several distinctive features: the stalk of its rhinophore sheath has a vertical row of three to six small branched processes on its posterior side, and the edge of its foot is white, though this white edge may be partially missing in some specimens. Its oral veil has four paired processes, and the tips of its branching gills may be white, orange, yellow, or purple. This species was first described from specimens collected in Santa Barbara, California. It occurs along the west coast of North America, ranging from Unalaska Island, Alaska to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.
