Berghia coerulescens (Laurillard, 1832)

Description

A small aeolid nudibranch with a white background colour. The cerata are bright blue with yellow tips. A distinctive orange line runs between the rhinophores and the oral tentacles — the most striking colour marker of the species.

Distribution

Originally described from the French Mediterranean coast. Subsequently recorded throughout the Mediterranean (including the Adriatic Sea) and across the eastern Atlantic from Brittany to the Canary Islands; isolated records are also known from the Caribbean (Jamaica).

Etymology

The specific epithet coerulescens is Latin for "becoming bluish", referring to the bright blue colour of the cerata.

Remarks

Feeds primarily on sea anemones. The species is the type species of the genus Berghia.

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References

• Eolidia coerulescens, Laurillard C.L. (1832). [Eolidia coerulescens]. In: Guérin-Méneville F.E. (1829-1843). Iconographie du régne animal de G. Cuvier. Vol. 3, Mollusques: p. 19; Mollusques pl. 9 fig. 1.