When Vicky Barlow discovered the rainbow sea slug, which is often found in warmer waters, she was exploring the pools at Falmouth.
The creature has only been seen three times before in the UK, and this was the first time it was seen in a rockpool, according to scientists.
Off the Isles of Scilly, in 2022, is believed to have been the first sighting.
Marine biologist Dr. Ben Holt of the Rock Pool Project said, "There have been a few sightings by divers and snorkelers since, but as far as we can tell, this is the first time this species has been found by a rock pooler in the UK."
According to him, the aeolid nudibranch family, which includes the rainbow sea slug Babakina anadoni, is distinguished by its members' vivid colors and distinctive shapes.
It is typically found off the west coasts of Spain, Portugal, and France in warm sea waters.
Dr. Holt told USWEB24 that the discovery of the sea slug was a part of a pattern of "massive changes" in marine life observed in the South West over the previous five years.
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