Cuthona nana
(Alder & Hancock, 1842)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: AEOLIDINA
Family: Tergipedidae

DISTRIBUTION

North Atlantic, as far south in Europe as France, & New Hampshire in North America. Very similar species Cuthona divae (Marcus, 1961) in northeast Pacific.

PHOTO

In hydroid colony, note egg masses. Plompe toren, de Oosterschelde, the Netherlands. PHOTO: Peter H. van Bragt

Grows to about 30mm. It feeds predominately on the hydroid Hydractinia echinata, which is often, but not exclusively, found attached to shells inhabited by hermit crabs.

Reference:
• Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. (1984) Biology of Opisthobranch Molluscs, Vol 2. Ray Society: London.

Related messages


Cuthona nana in the Netherlands

August 28, 1999
From: Peter H. van Bragt


Dear Bill,

Here is a photo of Cuthona nana to add to the Netherlands' List.

Location: Plompe toren, de Oosterschelde, the Netherlands

With best regards

Peter H. van Bragt

Peter.vanBragt@ftn.hsbrabant.nl

van Bragt, P.H., 1999 (Aug 28) Cuthona nana in the Netherlands. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1234

Dear Peter,
I always used to think Cuthona nana was only found on hydroids growing on the shells of Nassarius. There is a similar association with hydroids living on living Nassarius here in Australia. I don't know how many snails I have upset while diligently, but fruitlessly, looking for a similar Cuthona down here, before I realised I should be looking at hermit crab inhabited shells.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.