MOLLUSCA : Nudibranchia : DotidaeSNAILS, SLUGS, ETC.

Doto millbayana Lemche, 1976


 image: dotmil
Doto millbayana

Description: A small Doto of the coronata group, with typically 6 pairs of cerata in adults. The ceratal tubercles have terminal, round, maroon-red spots and extra irregular red spots. The body is white with sparse mottling of red pigment. The rhinophore sheaths have white pigment on their margins.

Habitat: This animal feeds exclusively on the plumulariid hydroid Plumularia setacea. This hydroid grows on larger hydroids such as Nemertesia antennina and Nemertesia ramosa. A larger form of Plumularia setacea also grows amongst sponges in rapids or strong currents, and may also harbour Doto millbayana.

Distribution: Recorded from the western coasts of the British Isles and the Irish Sea and as far north as Shetland. This species was described in 1976, therefore there is a need for additional new records.

Similar Species: Can be distinguished from Doto coronata by the lack of red pigment on the inner faces of the cerata.

Key Identification Features:

  • Red pigment spots on and between ceratal tubercles and on body.
  • Conspicuous white rim to rhinophore sheaths.

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

iNaturalist: Doto millbayana at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Doto millbayana at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Doto millbayana Lemche, 1976. AphiaID: 139647.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Heterobranchia; Euthyneura; Ringipleura; Nudipleura; Nudibranchia; Cladobranchia; Dendronotoidea; Dotidae; Doto

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 Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2024). Doto millbayana. Lemche, 1976. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www2.habitas.org.uk/marbiop-ni/speciesaccounts.php?item=W12840. Accessed on 2024-12-16