Palio nothus (Johnston, 1838)

Palio nothus

Description: The body is blackish-green with pale patches. The mantle tubercles are conical in shape. There are short club shaped papillae on either side of the gills. The largest recorded specimen was 20mm in length.

Habitat: This species occurs under rocks on the low shore and in the shallow subtidal. It preys upon Bowerbankia bryozoans. The spawn is white or pale pink in colour, and forms a coiled ribbon.

Distribution: P. nothus can be found all around the British Isles and north to the Arctic circle and to America.

Similar Species: Palio dubia has been confused with this species in the past.

Key Identification Features:

• Transparent, conulose tubercles on the body.
• Rhinophores with long shafts and few lamellae.

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