MOLLUSCA : Doridida : PolyceridaeSNAILS, SLUGS, ETC.

Polycera capitata Sørensen, Rauch, Pola & Malaquias, 2020


Description: This nudibranch may grow to a length of 12mm, the ground colour is translucent white. Four to six yellow tipped oral veil processes are present.

Habitat: P. capitata feeds on Membranipora membranacea and Electra pilosa on kelp fronds and red seaweeds in the infralittoral zone. The spawn is a white curved ribbon in a crescent moon shape.

Distribution: A common species in the infralittoral on exposed western and southern coasts of the British Isles, north to Norway.

Key Identification Features:

  • Four to six processes on the oral veil, two rhinophores without basal processes.
  • Variable in colour but one form has fine black speckles on the body.

iNaturalist: Polycera capitata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for

WoRMS: Polycera capitata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: . AphiaID: .

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Heterobranchia; Euthyneura; Ringipleura; Nudipleura; Doridida; Doridoidei; Polyceroidea; Polyceridae; Polycerinae; Polycera

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 Picton, B.E., Keatley, L. & Morrow, C.C. (2025). Polycera capitata. Sørensen, Rauch, Pola & Malaquias, 2020. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www2.habitas.org.uk/marbiop-ni/speciesaccounts.php?item=W13624. Accessed on 2026-05-31