Description: This distinctive species is orange in colour with brilliant blue iridescent spots. The gills are robust with iridescent blue-green lines along their ribs. The head may bear up to 22 finger-like processes. The maximum recorded length for this species is 48mm.

Habitat: G. elegans feeds preferentially on the Bryozoan species Bugula turbinata but has also been reported to feed on other species of Bugula.

Distribution: Records of this species are from Kilkieran Bay, Co Galway; Sheep Haven, Co Donegal; Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire; Lundy, South Cornwall and the Mediterranean.

Similar Species: The spectacular colour of this nudibranch readily distinguishes it from any other in the British Isles.

Key Identification Features:

• Orange coloration with large iridescent blue spots.
• Rhinophores and gills without sheaths or accessory processes.

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

iNaturalist: Polycera elegans at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Polycera elegans

WoRMS: Polycera elegans at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Polycera elegans (Bergh, 1894). AphiaID: 140833.

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