A uncommon rainbow sea slug was just lately discovered by Vicky Barlow, a rock pooler who was exploring the coast of south Cornwall. The slug, which is usually present in hotter waters off the west coast of Spain, Portugal, and France, is a member of the aeolid nudibranch household identified for its distinctive shapes and brilliant colors.
Glaucus nudibranch (Glaucus sp.), with its principal prey Velella (By the wind sailor). New South Wales, Australia. (Image by Auscape/Common Pictures Group by way of Getty Pictures)
Marine biologist Dr Ben Holt of the Rock Pool Mission revealed that there have solely been three earlier sightings of this species within the UK, with the primary being in 2022 off the Isles of Scilly. He added that whereas there have been a couple of sightings by divers and snorkelers since then, this was the primary time the species had been discovered by a rock pooler within the UK.
In line with Dr Holt, the invention of the rainbow sea slug is a component of a bigger sample of serious modifications within the sealife of the South West area over the past 5 years. He famous, ‘It’s an incredible discover, and I count on we’ll see extra of them. Additionally it is fairly exceptional as a result of rock swimming pools are fairly a harsh setting with the tide going out and in.’
Ms Barlow defined that she stumbled upon the ocean slug whereas looking for a spider crab throughout a low spring tide on Could sixth. She commented, ‘It was fairly a discovery, they’re completely stunning, and it exhibits that incredible species may be discovered within the UK.’
The invention of this uncommon species has excited marine biologists and lovers, highlighting the significance of continued exploration and analysis within the area.
See extra photographs of the species by Vivky Barlow, courtesy of BBC
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