Duvaucelia manicata (Deshayes, 1853)

Duvaucelia manicata

Description: Synonym: Tritonia manicata

D. manicata is a small nudibranch, with a maximum body length of 13mm. The body is white with dark red, green or black pigment spots on its back. The edges of the mantle bear paired, branched gills, 4 pairs in an 11mm specimen. The rhinophores have sheaths and are branched at the tips. There are 3-4 pairs of long, slender oral tentacles.

Habitat: The diet in British waters is unknown, but it is reported as feeding on the alcyonacean Cornularia cornucopiae in the Mediterranean.

Distribution: This species is frequent in the Mediterranean and reported from the Atlantic coast of France, but only a few records exist for the south-west of the British Isles. The first British record was from Lundy, Bristol Channel, in 1978.

Similar Species: Easily distinguished from Duvaucelia plebeia by the longer oral processes and its distinctive coloration.

Key Identification Features:

• White body with irregular, elongate, dark spots.
• Six to eight processes on the oral veil.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database