Aeolidia papillosa (Linnaeus, 1761)Author: Ian Smith on 13 April 2010
Common grey sea slug; Môrwlithen lwyd (Welsh)
DescriptionVaries greatly in form and colour.
Key identification features
Similar speciesAeolidiella (3 spp. in GB & Ireland)
EcologyLower shore and sublittoral. On shores with some hard substrate, including outer estuaries to 20 ppt salinity and muddy sand with isolated stones coated with sediment. Will attack and eat many species of Sea anemone, including Actinea equina and Metridium senile. Simultaneous hermaphrodite. Convoluted white or pink cord of spawn, somewhat resembling a coiled spring, attached spirally to substrate in January - August. Veliger larvae live in plankton before metamorphosis. Small juveniles not often found on shore; may spend early life sublittorally. Distribution and statusWhite Sea to Spain, Baffin Island to New England, and Alaska to California (See GBIF map). Widespread and common around Britain and Ireland. Up to 10/m² recorded in Netherlands. References and linksAlder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. Current taxonomy; All images copyright of the photographer - see "View image details". Recorded UK distribution |