Country diary: Slugs? Dull? This one is pure showbiz | Charlie Elder
The rainbow sea slug, a vibrant marine invertebrate, has been spotted in the waters of Cornwall and Devon as warming seas facilitate its northward migration. The discovery was documented during a 'bioblitz' event, highlighting the role of citizen science in tracking biodiversity shifts.
Why it matters
The arrival of non-native species in UK waters serves as a visible indicator of changing marine ecosystems due to climate change.
‘The extravagant rainbow sea slug comes with a “ta-da!”’ Photograph: Paul Naylor/PA ‘The extravagant rainbow sea slug comes with a “ta-da!”’ Photograph: Paul Naylor/PA Country diary Invertebrates Country diary: Slugs? Dull? This one is pure showbiz Falmouth, Cornwall: The rainbow sea slug is a bizarre and breathtaking animal, and with warming seas it’s gaining a toehold in the south-west
Prefer the Guardian on Google I have never seen a species quite so flamboyant in appearance. A couple of centimetres in length, it was curled beneath the submerged rock like a piece of gaudy costume jewellery.
When the cry went up that one had been found, I had to prevent myself from breaking into a run as I navigated the slippery seaweed-covered boulders to catch my first glimpse of this rarity.
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