Hero formosa
Loven, 1841
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: ARMININA
Family: Heroidae
DISTRIBUTION
Northeastern Atlantic [recent records from northern Scotland and parts of the Norwegian coast].
PHOTO
Loch Fyne, west coast of Scotland; Lephinchapel Reef at 20 metres on the smooth silty rock surface to the north side of the reef. February 2000. Photo: Jim Anderson
This is an arminoidean with branched gill-like cerata forming a wide band around the mantle edge. The cerata contain digestive gland ducts. It can grow to 4cm in length and feeds on both gymnoblastic and calyptoblastic hydroids. According to Thompson & Brown (1984) this species has only been found in recent times from northern Scotland and parts of the Norwegian coast.
Reference:
• Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. (1984) Biology of Opisthobranch Molluscs, Vol 2. Ray Society: London.
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (December 3) Hero formosa Loven, 1841. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/heroform
Related messages
Hero formosa from Scotland
December 6, 2001
From: Jim Anderson
Dear Dr. Rudman,
Another Scottish example for you. It is Hero formosa, found in January 2000 at Loch Fyne on the west coast; [Lephinchapel Reef at 20 metres on the smooth silty rock surface to the north side of the reef].
This rare wee animal was mistaken for a small clump of Dead man's fingers (Alcyonium digitatum) but was identified later when the slides were developed.
Best regards,
Jim A
jander4454@aol.com
Anderson, J., 2001 (Dec 6) Hero formosa from Scotland. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5750Thanks Jim,
Bill Rudman
