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A rare rainbow sea slug was recently found by Vicky Barlow, a rock pooler who was exploring the coast of south Cornwall. The slug, which is typically found in warmer waters off the west coast of Spain, Portugal, and France, is a member of the aeolid nudibranch family known for its unique shapes and bright colours.
Glaucus nudibranch (Glaucus sp.), with its main prey Velella (By the wind sailor). New South Wales, Australia. (Picture by Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Marine biologist Dr Ben Holt of the Rock Pool Project revealed that there have only been three previous sightings of this species in the UK, with the first being in 2022 off the Isles of Scilly. He added that while there have been a few sightings by divers and snorkelers since then, this was the first time the species had been found by a rock pooler in the UK.
According to Dr Holt, the discovery of the rainbow sea slug is part of a larger pattern of significant changes in the sealife of the South West region over the last five years. He noted, ‘It’s an amazing find, and I expect we will see more of them. It is also quite remarkable because rock pools are quite a harsh environment with the tide going in and out.’
Ms Barlow explained that she stumbled upon the sea slug while searching for a spider crab during a low spring tide on May 6th. She commented, ‘It was quite a discovery, they are absolutely beautiful, and it shows that amazing species can be found in the UK.’
The discovery of this rare species has excited marine biologists and enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of continued exploration and research in the field.
See more photos of the species by Vivky Barlow, courtesy of BBC
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Courtesy : https://www.getaway.co.za/travel-news/rare-rainbow-sea-slug-found-in-uks-south-cornwall-coast/