Trinchesia foliata (Forbes & Goodsir, 1839)
Cuthona foliata (Forbes & Goodsir, 1839)
Trinchesia foliata (Forbes & Goodsir, 1839)
Distribution and status
Norway and Faeroes to Brittany. Records from the Mediterranean may refer to Cuthona genovae (GBIF map). Scattered records round Britain and Ireland. (UK interactive distribution map.NBN.)
Ecology and behaviour
Low water spring tides on rocky shores, and shallow sublittoral. On or near its hydroid prey, including Abietinaria abietina (EML), Sertularella polyzonias (EML), S. gayi (EML), Tubularia spp. (EML), Obelia geniculata (EML), Halecium spp. (EML) and Dynamena pumila (EML). Simultaneous hermaphrodite. Broad ‘C’ shape spawn masses [4] May to August.
Similar species
- In addition to five red, orange, or brown marks on C. foliata, a sixth transverse one at front of head connecting oral tentacles.
- Much yellow on rhinophores and oral tentacles, and a yellow longitudinal streak on body between rhinophores.
Key identification features
References and links
Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society.
Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society.
Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).
Irish distribution and prey organisms:
Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C., 2010. Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland (EML).
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000174809]
Sort order
5970
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Body (excluding appendages)