Mediterranean sea slug (umbraculum mediterranean)
Complete list   <<  11 /  47   >>
Common name Mediterranean sea slug
Scientific name Umbraculum Mediterranean
Class Gasteropodae
Order Pleurobranchimorfae
Family Umbraculidae
Distribution The Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean from Portugal to Cape Verde.
Habitat detrital or Sandy/muddy substrates or close to meadows of Posidonia oceanica at depths ranging from between 15 - 20 metres to over 50 m.
Dimensions Grows to a length ranging between 18-19 cm.
Characteristicts Large external shell covering the dorsum; body split by a "mid-anterior cleft"; numerous tubercles.

Description
Quite a large mollusc with a circular body and a well-developed body split by a mid anterior cleft. The body is protected by a flattened oval shell which is considerably smaller than the animal itself. The upper part of the body is covered with uneven tubercles and tubular rhinophoral tentacles extend out from beneath the shell. The radula is very broad with many small rasping teeth. The shell is an off-white colour while the mollusc is orange or brown with white tubercles, and an orange bordered off-white mantle.

Biology
The species feeds at night and prefers to remain well hidden in the sediment during the day. Mating takes place between August and March and the eggs, wrapped in a light orange coloured ribbon are deposited in a circle. The Mediterranean sea slug feeds mainly on sponges.