Description: The body of this nudibranch may reach 20mm in length. The ground colour is translucent with a yellow hue. There are typically 5 to 7 pairs of cerata in adult specimens. The ceratal tubercles have black terminal spots and there are similar tubercles on the body. These are arranged in transverse rows across the back and sides, between the cerata.

Habitat: Feeds exclusively on the sertulariid hydroid Sertularella gayi. This hydroid is found mostly at silty sites with some current, in depths below the kelp zone. The animals usually attach themselves to the mid-rib of the hydroid and spread their cerata laterally when disturbed, providing good camouflage. The shape of the spawn is unusual for a Doto, consisting of a loop of wavy ribbon, that is laid along a branch of the hydroid.

Distribution: Found mainly on western coasts of the British Isles.

Similar Species: Could be confused with the much commoner Doto pinnatifida but is smaller, and does not have spots around the rhinophore sheaths.

Key Identification Features:

• Pale yellow animal with black-spotted tubercles.
• Tubercles in rows across the back.

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

iNaturalist: Doto tuberculata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Doto tuberculata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Doto tuberculata Lemche, 1976. AphiaID: 139655.

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