Marine Temperate Invertebrates

Facelina (UK); Grande Faceline (F)

Facelina coronata (Forbes & Goodsir,1839); Acanthopsole coronata (Forbes & Goodsir, 1839)

Glaucidae (Order: Nudibranchia; Suborder: Aelodina)

The etymology of the gender name “Facelina” suggests a “striped face”, according to Bernard Picton’s book “Nudibranchs of the British Isles”; auriculata: from the Latin auricula (the lobe of the ear, ear) = ear shaped.

40 mm

This iridescent beautiful species is reported to reach lengths of 40 mm. The body is more elongate and slender than F. bostoniensis, with four to five distinct groups of cerata, shorter in length than in F. bostoniesis, and with a characteristic blue surface sheen. Characterised by the lamellate rhinophores and the first ceratal cluster being well separated from the rest of the cerata. The red oesophagus, is usually visible through the body wall, just behind the rhinophores. It is quite variable in colour but there is often a bluish sheen on the head and the cerata, and a whitish streak on the upper half of the rhinophores and the tips of the oral tentacles. Key identification features:

• White body up to 38 mm in length.
• Back covered with numerous short cerata, which have a blue/purple hue and are streaked with white.
  
• Propodial tentacles, long oral tentacles and annulate rhinophores present, all streaked with white.
• Red oesophagus is visible through the body.

Facelina auriculata occurs in two varieties: var. coronata is long and slender with the body extending rearward of the last cluster of cerata,while var. curta is shorter and broader that var. coronata and the body ends very near to the rearmost cluster of cerata (Thompson & Brown, 1976).

This species is a hermaphrodite.

This species has a boreo-lusitanian distribution, with records from the Mediterranean Sea, throughout the British Isles and Kattegat as far north as western Norway. In Norway this species has its most northern confirmed record from Florø (61° 30' N). Found under boulders in the intertidal and sublittoral on its prey. It is considered to be typical of shallow waters, from 3 to 15 meters, and is usually found in dark places or overhangs, but almost invariably on rocky substrate. Due to its small size and colour, it is quite difficult to spot in its habitat.

1.027-1.032  

8° C - 22° C. (can be kept constantly at 18^oC)

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Strong to moderate. Practically indifferent as long as it is fed by the keeper. Otherwise, algal growth is desired.

Carries nematocysts and may secrete acid. May be dangerous to other fish. Very few data in literature. Will prey on a number of invertebrates.

Will eat hydroids and algae. Will also eat some worms,other nudibranchs including members of its own species.

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F. auriculata feeds on a variety of hydroids (Tubularia, Obelia, Laomedea) and algae (Codium, Laminaria). F. coronata is most often found on Laminaria hyperborea. So far we have reason to believe that this is a species that thrives in exposed areas. 

Just like their fellow nudibranchs, Facelina auriculata is an hermaphrodite (both male and female) and gets reproduced by internal fertilisation.