MOLLUSCA : NUDIBRANCHIA : Favorinidae | SNAILS, SLUGS, ETC. |
![]() |
Favorinus branchialis |
Description: This uncommon nudibranch has a translucent white body with extensive white surface pigment. The pigment forms a triangle on the head, with diamond shaped patches down the centre of the back. The upper surfaces of the cerata are usually covered with white pigment, but may be translucent showing the white, brown or orange digestive gland. The rhinophores are distinctive, being brown in the basal portion, with a swelling near the tip, and a white tip.
Habitat: Favorinus species feed on the spawn of other nudibranchs and are likely to be encountered wherever nudibranchs are abundant. The animals can be well camouflaged on large dorid egg masses. Juveniles feed on hydroids such as Obelia. The spawn of this species is a thin thread wound like a hair spring.
Distribution: Widely distributed in the British Isles but rather local and scattered. This species is also known from the Mediterranean Sea to Norway.
Key Identification Features:
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
Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Favorinus branchialis (Rathke, 1806). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=W15420 Accessed on 2025-02-15 |
Copyright © National Museums NI, 2002-2023 |