Description: The colour of the body may be translucent white through to red, but a constant feature of this nudibranch are the yellow tipped processes that form a wavy frill at the mantle edge. The rim of the rhinophore sheaths are modified to form similar yellow tipped processes. Adults usually grow to 60mm, however occasional specimens may reach 94mm in length.

Habitat: Lomanotus genei feeds on the calyptoblastic hydroid Nemertesia ramosa, and is found at depths down to 90m. The spawn is a string of eggs wound irregularly around the hydroid.

Distribution: This animal is distributed from the west coast of Scotland to the Mediterranean, but is rather rare and sporadic in occurrence.

Similar Species: The existence of various colour forms of this species in the British Isles has caused confusion in the past, with this species sometimes being considered to be conspecific with Lomanotus marmoratus. Occasional juvenile individuals have been observed by the present authors which lack the yellow pigment and have different shaped pallial processes.

Key Identification Features:

• The zigzag frill of ceratal processes on the dorsum.
• Yellow tipped processes and white or red body.

Distribution Map from NBN: Lomanotus genei at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Lomanotus genei at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Lomanotus genei

WoRMS: Lomanotus genei at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Lomanotus genei Vérany, 1846. AphiaID: 140273.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Heterobranchia; Euthyneura; Ringipleura; Nudipleura; Nudibranchia; Cladobranchia; Dendronotoidea; Lomanotidae; Lomanotus