List of Nudibranchia of Ireland facts for kids
Nudibranchs are amazing, colorful sea creatures that live in the ocean. They are a type of sea slug and are known for their bright colors and unique shapes. You can find many different kinds of these fascinating animals living in the waters around Ireland. This article will tell you more about the nudibranchs that call Ireland home.
Contents
What are Nudibranchs?
Nudibranchs are soft-bodied molluscs, which means they are related to snails and clams. But unlike snails, most nudibranchs don't have a shell. Their name, "nudibranch," actually means "naked gills," because their gills are often visible on their backs. These gills help them breathe underwater.
Nudibranchs come in an incredible variety of colors and patterns. Some are bright and flashy, while others blend in with their surroundings. They use their vibrant colors as a warning to predators that they might be poisonous or taste bad.
How do Nudibranchs Eat?
Nudibranchs are carnivores, meaning they eat other animals. They have special mouths that help them munch on things like sponges, barnacles, and other small sea creatures. Some nudibranchs can even eat stinging cells from jellyfish or sea anemones and then use those stinging cells for their own defense!
Where do Nudibranchs Live?
You can find nudibranchs in oceans all over the world, from shallow tide pools to the deep sea. In Ireland, they live in the cool, clear waters along the coast. They often hide among seaweed, rocks, and coral, looking for their next meal.
Types of Nudibranchs in Ireland
The waters around Ireland are home to many different species of nudibranchs. Scientists have identified a long list of these unique sea slugs. Here are some of the nudibranchs that have been found in Irish waters:
Order NUDIBRANCHIA
- Goniodoris castanea Alder & Hancock, 1845
- Goniodoris nodosa Montagu, 1808
- Okenia elegans Leuckart, 1828
- Okenia leachii Alder & Hancock, 1854
- Ancula gibbosa Risso, 1818
- Trapania pallida Kress, 1968
- Onchidoris bilamellata Linnaeus, 1767
- Onchidoris depressa Alder & Hancock, 1842
- Onchidoris muricata O F Müller, 1776
- Onchidoris oblonga Alder & Hancock, 1845
- Onchidoris pusilla Alder & Hancock, 1845
- Onchidoris sparsa Alder & Hancock, 1846
- Diaphorodoris luteocincta M Sars, 1870
- Acanthodoris pilosa Abildgaard in O F Müller, 1789
- Adalaria loveni Alder & Hancock, 1862
- Adalaria proxima Alder & Hancock, 1854
- Crimora papillata Alder & Hancock, 1862
- Aegires punctilucens Orbigny, 1837
- Polycera faeroensis Lemche, 1929
- Polycera quadrilineata O F Müller, 1776
- Greilada elegans Bergh, 1894
- Limacia clavigera O F Müller, 1776
- Palio dubia M Sars, 1829
- Palio nothus Johnston, 1838
- Thecacera pennigera Montagu, 1813
- Cadlina laevis Linnaeus, 1767
- Aldisa zetlandica Alder & Hancock, 1854
- Rostanga rubra Risso, 1818
- Doris sticta Iredale & O'Donoghue, 1923
- Archidoris pseudoargus Rapp, 1827
- Geitodoris planata Alder & Hancock, 1846
- Jorunna tomentosa Cuvier, 1804
- Armina loveni Bergh, 1860
- Janolus cristatus delle Chiaje, 1841
- Janolus hyalinus Alder & Hancock, 1854
- Proctonotus mucroniferus Alder & Hancock, 1844
- Tritonia hombergii Cuvier, 1803
- Tritonia lineata Alder & Hancock, 1848
- Tritonia nilsodhneri Marcus, 1983
- Tritonia plebeia Johnston, 1828
- Lomanotus genei Verany, 1846
- Lomanotus marmoratus Alder & Hancock, 1845
- Scyllaea pelagica Linnaeus, 1758 Vagrant
- Hancockia uncinata Hesse, 1872
- Dendronotus frondosus Ascanius, 1774
- Doto coronata Gmelin, 1791
- Doto cuspidata Alder & Hancock, 1862
- Doto dunnei Lemche, 1976
- Doto eireana Lemche, 1976
- Doto fragilis Forbes, 1838
- Doto hystrix Picton & Brown, 1981
- Doto koenneckeri Lemche, 1976
- Doto lemchei Ortea & Urgorri, 1978
- Doto maculata Montagu, 1804
- Doto millbayana Lemche, 1976
- Doto pinnatifida Montagu, 1804
- Doto tuberculata Lemche, 1976
- Embletonia pulchra Alder & Hancock, 1844
- Coryphella browni Picton, 1980
- Coryphella gracilis Alder & Hancock, 1844
- Coryphella lineata Lovén, 1846
- Coryphella verrucosa M Sars, 1829
- Flabellina pedata Montagu, 1815
- Flabellina pellucida Alder & Hancock, 1843
- Tergipes tergipes Forsskål, 1775
- Catriona gymnota Couthouy, 1838
- Cuthona amoena Alder & Hancock, 1845
- Cuthona caerulea Montagu, 1804
- Cuthona concinna Alder & Hancock, 1843
- Cuthona foliata Forbes & Goodsir, 1839
- Cuthona genovae O'Donoghue, 1926
- Cuthona nana Alder & Hancock, 1842
- Cuthona pustulata Alder & Hancock, 1854
- Cuthona rubescens Picton & Brown, 1978
- Cuthona viridis Forbes, 1840
- Eubranchus doriae Trinchese, 1874
- Eubranchus exiguus Alder & Hancock, 1848
- Eubranchus farrani Alder & Hancock, 1844
- Eubranchus pallidus Alder & Hancock, 1842
- Eubranchus tricolor Forbes, 1838
- Eubranchus vittatus Alder & Hancock, 1842
- Cumanotus beaumonti Eliot, 1906
- Fiona pinnata Eschscholtz, 1831 Vagrant
- Calma glaucoides Alder & Hancock, 1854
- Facelina annulicornis Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821
- Facelina auriculata O F Müller, 1776
- Facelina bostoniensis Couthouy, 1838
- Facelina dubia Pruvot-Fol, 1949
- Caloria elegans Alder & Hancock, 1845
- Favorinus blianus Lemche & Thompson, 1974
- Favorinus branchialis Rathke, 1806
- Dicata odhneri Schmekel, 1967
- Aeolidia papillosa Linnaeus, 1761
- Aeolidiella alderi Cocks, 1852
- Aeolidiella glauca Alder & Hancock, 1845
- Aeolidiella sanguinea Norman, 1877
