Description: This animal may reach 9mm in length. Dense dark brown pigment spots on the mantle are responsible for its dark appearance. The tubercles that cover the dorsal surface are very tiny and conical in shape. The transparent rhinophores and gills are very characteristic.

Habitat: A. pusilla feeds on a variety of encrusting bryozoans such as Escharella immersa, Porella concinna and Schizomavella linearis. It has been found beneath stones or rocks in areas of strong water movement both intertidally and in shallow water.

Distribution: Found all around the coasts of the British Isles, but rarely recorded. Further distribution includes the French and Spanish Atlantic coasts and Norway.

Key Identification Features:

• Flattened oval body with dense brown or black pigment spots.
• Transparent gills and rhinophores.

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

iNaturalist: Atalodoris pusilla at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Atalodoris pusilla at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Atalodoris pusilla (Alder & Hancock, 1845). AphiaID: 1565333.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Heterobranchia; Euthyneura; Ringipleura; Nudipleura; Nudibranchia; Doridina; Doridoidei; Onchidoridoidea; Onchidorididae; Atalodoris