Cadlina pellucida
<p><em>Cadlina pellucida</em> (Risso, 1826)</p>
Cadlina pellucida. Fully extended specimen in motion. Foot extended at posterior; thin, translucent white, almost transparent, with opaque white flecks concentrated at periphery. June 2012 . Sublittoral. Setúbal, Portugal.
Cadlina pellucida. Frequently found in Portugal on this unidentified greyish-yellow sponge; its food? July 2012 . Sublittoral. Setúbal, Portugal.
Cadlina pellucida. Frequently found in Portugal on this unidentified greyish-yellow sponge; its food? August 2011 . Sublittoral. Setúbal, Portugal.
Cadlina pellucida. Rhinophores: small whitish apex; white stem; 9 dark chocolate-brown lamellae. July 2012 . Sublittoral. Setúbal, Portugal.
Cadlina pellucida. Opaque white tubercles (defensive glands?) around mantle skirt. 4 gill plumes; stout main rib, short stout branches and short pinnae; chocolate-brown, apart from medially-white main rib. April 2011. Sublittoral. Setúbal, Portugal.
Cadlina pellucida. Fully extended specimen in motion. Foot extended at posterior; thin, translucent white, almost transparent, with opaque white flecks concentrated at periphery. June 2012 . Sublittoral. Setúbal, Portugal.
Cadlina pellucida. Elliptical outline, low profile. Ample, soft, translucent, white mantle covers whole body. Gills partially contracted. July 2012 .Sublittoral. Setúbal, Portugal.
Cadlina pellucida
Distribution and status
Portugal to extreme SW tip of England (first record 2012, second 2013), and Mediterranean coast of Spain and France.
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.
Ecology and behaviour
Similar species
Cadlina laevis
- Low profile, soft, translucent, white body, sometimes tinted yellow.
- Opaque chalk-white or lemon-yellow glands around mantle skirt.
- Rhinophores and gills white.
Key identification features
References and links
Calado, G. & Silva, J.P. (2012). Lesmas do Mar do Algarve – Guia de Moluscos Opistobrânquios da Costa Sul de Portugal. Edições Subnauta, 164pp. ISBN: 978-989-96406-2-7 (English edition in preparation; Sea Slugs of the Algarve – Opisthobranch Guide of the Southern Coast of Portugal).
Current taxonomy:
MolluscaBase
World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)
Donnees d’observations pour le reconnaissance et l’identification de la fauna et la flore subaquatique (DORIS)
Grup de Recerca d'Opistobranquis de Catalunya (GROC)
Rudman, W. Sea slug Forum (SSF)
Sort order
5641
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Body