Facelina bostoniensis
<p><em>Facelina bostoniensis</em> (Couthouy, 1838)</p>
Facelina bostoniensis
Distribution and status
New England, USA, and Southern Norway to Spain and western Mediterranean. (GBIF map) Widespread and common around Britain and Ireland. (UK interactive distribution map N.B.N.)
Ecology and behaviour
Similar species
- Usually iridescence on cerata and, sometimes, on head and body, occasionally not.
- Cerata usually neatly swept back, each group only slightly overlaps the next behind.
- Rhinophore lamellae alternate complete/incomplete disk.
- Propodial extensions shorter and stouter than on F. bostoniensis.
- White pigment splashes down front of cerata.
Facelina dubia (EML) Very similar to F. bostoniensis
- Smooth rhinophores lack lamellae.
- White pigment flecks on head and oral tentacles.
- In British & Irish waters, so far only recorded in Lough Hyne in SW Ireland.
Key identification features
- Cerata long, linear, rather untidy and lack iridescence [3]. (Occasionally, a small amount of iridescence on the head or oral tentacles; very rarely all over cerata).
- No white pigment splashes down cerata, apart from small patch near top [2]. (Sometimes a minute white spot or two on front of cerata.)
- Rhinophore lamellae all complete disks.
- Slender sickle-shape propodial tentacles [2].
References and links
Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. Anderson, J. Scottish Nudibranchs (ScotNud).
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 maps and prey organisms:
Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C., 2010. Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland (EML).
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000175326]
Sort order
6270
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Body (excluding appendages)