Two Monterey CA Critters

[nkw5]

Two things I've never seen before. Both were spotted around 10 feet near the shore-side of the pipe at San Carlos that points to the metridium fields.The first is a weight-belt sized creature. It had bright yellow margins both sides. Buddy thought it was dead, but I thought it was burrowing. Second creature is bigger than chitons commonly found in the area. Any thoughts?

 

[Bigbella]

The first image doesn't strike me as something alive; or, at least, an burrowing animal. Given its size, it looks more like the blade of some odd alga, than, say, a monstrous flatworm. The second image is a chitin, or the remains of one.If you're surprised by its size, take a look at a gumboot chiton, the size of a football, which are prevalent in the area . . .

 

[nkw5]

Thank you, Bigbella for replying. Someone at REEF Facebook says the ribbon thingee is a nemertean, a worm, and told me the name of the chiton, a stenoplax conspicua. Amazing what you can find and learn from the sea and those who venture into it.

 

[Bigbella]

I have some doubts about that nemertean id. They can certainly be long; but I have certainly not seen one that color or the width of a weight belt . . .

 

[lexvil]

looks like this?

 

[Bigbella]

Wow, that's the biggest nemertean that I've seen in the area. Just, wow . . . I stand corrected.

Any species on that? Couldn't find anything remotely that size in Intertidal Inverebrates of California . . .

 

[lexvil]

I’m not really into the specific names, this was seen about a year ago in the middle reef area, I had never seen one before and posted it on Facebook or here and someone did ID it, just don’t recall what it’s called, saw another near the pipe 2 or 3 months ago. Sorry I can’t be more specific.