Rare sea slug found near Southampton in UK first

Warty Doris (Doris verrucosa) was first found by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) Shoresearcher volunteer Jenny Mallinson whilst she was conducting a survey at Hythe.

Jenny’s sighting was later verified as the first recorded instance of the species in the UK. 

Fellow volunteer Helen Boyce conducted her own beach search off the Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley and found three more specimens - extending the sea slug’s known range within the Solent area.

Helen is now conducting searches at other sites to help Jenny establish how widespread the species is.

One of the sea slugs was found near Hythe (Image: Newsquest)

The slug, which mainly lives under stones in inter-tidal zones, gets its name from the tubercle-shaped warts all over its body.

It is generally found in areas with soft sediment such as lagoons, plus regions around France, Belgium, and Spain as well as the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and the western Atlantic.

Jenny said: "Seven-tenths of our planet is seawater, with new species being discovered all the time.

"What is exciting is that simply by going to our local beach at low tide, we could all make such discoveries."

Shoresearch is a national citizen science survey of the inter-tidal shore, with volunteers trained to identify and record the wildlife around the UK.

The other sea slug was found off the Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley (Image: Tony Fuller)

Previous Shoresearch finds include the first Hampshire Pacific oysters, which were discovered at Hamble in 2010.

Emily Stroud, senior engagement officer at HIWWT, said: "It's a rare privilege to discover a first, whether for a site, county or the country.

"Congratulations to our Shoresearcher volunteers, whose data helps experts monitor our fragile sea life and better understand the effects of pollution, climate change, and invasive species."

HIWWT is one of 46 wildlife trusts across the UK.

It says: "Together we are the nation’s most active and influential nature conservation partnership, protecting wildlife in every part of the British Isles. Each Trust works within its local community to inspire people and bring about change.

"With the invaluable support of volunteers and members, we manage over 60 nature reserves.

"We also work with other organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county and inspire local communities and young people to care for wildlife."