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Cuthona caerulea is a small aeolid nudibranch found in
shallow water feeding on hydroids. It is reported to feed
on Sertularella hydroids and is easily identified because of
its bold ceratal colouration.
Propodial tentacles: Absent, (foot rounded).
Oral tentacles: 2 in number, medium, with yellow tips and superficial white pigment.
Rhinophores: Translucent with yellow tips and superficial white pigment, smooth.
Cerata: Brightly coloured with orange, blue, yellow/orange areas often with a dark green line between the blue band, and with white tips.
Foot: Translucent without appendages.
Size range: 3-10mm. Fairly common.
Specific characteristics: This species is easily identified in the field because of its bright colours and the yellow tipped tentacles.
Identification by Dr. A. Perrone
Propodial tentacles: Absent, (foot rounded).
Oral tentacles: 2 in number, medium, with yellow tips and superficial white pigment.
Rhinophores: Translucent with yellow tips and superficial white pigment, smooth.
Cerata: Brightly coloured with orange, blue, yellow/orange areas often with a dark green line between the blue band, and with white tips.
Foot: Translucent without appendages.
Size range: 3-10mm. Fairly common.
Specific characteristics: This species is easily identified in the field because of its bright colours and the yellow tipped tentacles.
Identification by Dr. A. Perrone
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10mm, Ghar Lapsi 14m depth 3/01/93
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Cuthona caerulea (Montagu, 1804)
NUDIBRANCHIA
Tergipedidae
4mm, Wied iz-Zurrieq 8m depth 9/05/93
4.5mm, Ahrax point 10m depth 27/02/94
Ponta Rqieqa, Comino 7-9m depth 11/06/93
10mm both sp., Ghar Lapsi 14m depth 3/01/93
10mm, Ghar Lapsi 14m depth 3/01/93