Hermaea cantabra Caballer & Ortea, 2015 - A hermaeid sea slug (Sea slug images)

Eleven specimens were found in a sample of sediment taken from the vertical surface of a concrete slipway support in Newlyn Harbour, Newlyn, Cornwall, 07.06.20. The predominent algae in the sample was the non-native invasive Antithamnionella ternifolia, and this was most likely the food for the species at the site where they were found. Ceramium, Halurus and Codium are its published food sources. Specimens were sent to Manuel Caballer Gutiérrez at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France for DNA sequencing to be confirm we have Hermaea cantabra in the UK.

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- two specimens 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- two specimens 2

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- lateral view 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- ventral view anterior 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- ventral view anterior 2

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- lateral view anterior 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- on white background 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- lateral view anterior 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- dorsal view anterior 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- with 1.0mm division rule 1

Three specimens were found on washing stones from below the low water mark on an extra low spring tide. Albert Pier reef, Penzance, Cornwall, 08.05.20. One specimen was found at the same site on 09.05.20, with its red markings on head replaced with black. Two specimens sent to France for DNA sequencing.

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- dorsal view 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- lateral view 2

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- anterior 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- dorsal view 2

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- lateral view 3

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- habitat / Vellan Drang 1

Specimen above found in a small sample of bryozoan / algal turf, found with one of its food plants the algae Halurus equisetifolius, Sea tail or Sea mare’s-tail. Sample taken just below the low tide level under an overhang at Vellan Drang, The Lizard, Cornwall. 25.09.14.

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- three specimens 1

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- three specimens 2

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- East Pool, Great Hogus 1

Specimens above found in a small sample of Corallina officinalis, Coral Weed, from the lowershore at East Pool, Great Hogus, Marazion, Cornwall. 22.05.15. In all six specimens were found in the sample, sample was taken from a submerged portion of large granite rock. The only red algae in the sample other than Corallina was Ceramium.

Hermaeid sea slug
Hermaea cantabra
- comparison with other species of Hermaea 1

Thanks here go to Dr. Manuel Caballer Gutierrez of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, France. Dr. Manuel Caballer Gutierrez, a Hermaea expert, found images of Hermaea cantabra, a new species for the UK, among images of Hermaea bifida here. He has commented on all the images displayed and found that I had found Hermaea cantabra at two locations in Cornwall. See above.

Records have been changed and a report sent to Chris Raper at the United Kingdom Species Inventory, at the NHM. Thanks also to both Simon Taylor (Conch. Soc.) and Dr. Bernard Picton (Curator of Marine Invertebrates, Department of Natural Sciences, National Museums Northern Ireland).

The species is likely a temporary southern migrant like Hermaea paucicirra, its occurence here may relate to favourable weather conditions and ocean currents.

APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.