Dotted sea slug (Peltodoris atromaculata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Peltodoris atromaculata
- Common name
- Dotted sea slug
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Discodorididae
- Genus
- Peltodoris
- Size
- 5–12 cm
- Depth
- 3–70 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef, rocky
- Behaviours
- slow, specialist-feeder
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Peltodoris atromaculata, the dotted sea slug or sea cow, is a large nudibranch of 5 to 12 cm, cream-colored with dark-brown circular spots resembling a Dalmatian. Lives exclusively on the sponge Petrosia ficiformis on which it feeds. Found in Mediterranean coralligenous and drop-off habitats, from 3 to 70 m. A must-photograph macro favorite.
Photo of Dotted sea slug
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Dotted sea slug?
- Dotted sea slug (Peltodoris atromaculata) reaches 5–12 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Dotted sea slug?
- Dotted sea slug is found between 3–70 m deep.
- Is the Dotted sea slug dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Dotted sea slug?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Dotted sea slug?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Discodorididae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 509315)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5859647)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia