Aegires leuckartii (Vérany, 1853)
Superdomain | Biota | |
Kingdom | Animalia | |
Phylum | Mollusca | |
Class | Gastropoda | |
Subclass | Heterobranchia | |
Infraclass | Euthyneura | |
Subterclass | Ringipleura | |
Superorder | Nudipleura | |
Order | Nudibranchia | |
Suborder | Doridina | |
Infraorder | Doridoidei | |
Superfamily | Onchidoridoidea | |
Family | Aegiridae | |
Genus | Aegires | |
Species | Aegires leuckartii Vérany, 1853 | |
| Classification according to Bouchet et al. (2017) Taxonomic source: World Register of Marine Species (AphiaID: 138704). | ||
Synonyms
- Aegires leuckarti [sic]
Vérany chose the name “leuckartii” for this new species. Later authors as Vayssière (1901) and others removed the last ‘i’, however the ICZN article 58 considers synonyms the specific names of species dedicated to people with the suffix ‘-i’ or ‘-ii’, so the use of “leuckartii” according to its original description is considered correct.
Description
This small nudibranch can reach up to 5 mm in length, with the body rigid and limaciform, wider at the front side and at the level of the gills, finished in a pointed tail. The head has a relatively large frontal veil with rounded side lobes and flattened oral tentacles. It has numerous large and globular shaped tubercles, symmetrically distributed throughout the body, with small spicules protruding at the apex. The body color is translucent white and the internal organs can be seen by transparency in juveniles. The adults have an opaque white superficial pigmentation with brown spots on the apexes of tubercles, rhinophores and around the gill tubercles. The foot is white. The rhinophores are smooth and each can be retracted within a rhinophoric sheath, protected with a large tubercle on each outer edge. It has 3 bipinnate gills, each protected by a specific tubercle.
Biology
According to Schmekel and Portmann (1982) feeding is based on calcareous sponges of the Leucosoleniidae family, although other unconfirmed studies indicate algae of the genus Codium. The spawn can be found between September and October. It is usually found in rocky bottoms down to 30 meters deep.
Etymology
- Aegires, related to the Norse and Celtic god of the seashore and ocean, Aegir. Although he was feared for causing storms when angry, he was also reknowned for his hospitality as the brewer of beer for the gods, the sea foam being considered homologous with the froth on a glass of beer.
- Leuckartii devoted to Friederich Sigismund Leuckart, (1794-1843; Germany), together with Eduard Rüppell, co-author of the “Atlas zu der Reise im nördlichen Afrika. Erste Abtheilung Zoologie” (1830)
Distribution
It is supposed to be endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, where it is considered a rare species. It has been cited in all the Iberian Mediterranean coasts, including the Balearic Islands.
| Sources: | |
 : OBIS : GROC 2010-2011 : Enric Madrenas : João Pedro Silva : Bernard Picton : GBIF.ORG |  : OPK : VIMAR : Manuel Ballesteros. : M@re Nostrum : Altres fonts : Marine Regions |
Abundance
| Western Mediterranean: | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Eastern Mediterranean: | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Atlantic Ocean: | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
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Bibliography
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Further reading
Cite this article as:
Pontes, Miquel, Manuel Ballesteros, Enric Madrenas (2023) "Aegires leuckartii" in OPK-Opistobranquis. Published: 15/05/2012. Accessed: 30/03/2023. Available at (https://opistobranquis.info/en/1NedI)
