Home Guide to Opisthobranchs Nudibranchia Doridina Doridoidei Polyceroidea Aegires punctilucens

Aegires punctilucens

Aegires punctilucens (d’Orbigny, 1837)

Aegires punctilucens by Luis Ángel Díaz Álvarez

Taxonomy
 

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 punctilucens  (d'Orbigny, 1837)

 
 Classification according to Bouchet et al. (2017)
Taxonomic source: World Register of Marine Species (AphiaID: 138706).
Synonyms

  • Aegires hispidus Hesse, 1872
  • Aegirus hispidus Hesse, 1872
  • Doris maura Forbes, 1840
  • Polycera horrida Hesse, 1872
  • Polycera punctilucens d’Orbigny, 1837 (original)

Description
Body usually measures about 10 mm with a maximum recorded length of 20mm, and it is heavily spiculated and rigid, with the dorsal surface densely covered with large spiculose flat tipped tubercles, each one with a dark apical spot. Body base color is generally slightly translucent light brown (paler in juveniles, rarely white) with darker brown spots and dense white speckling. Arranged in a symetrical pattern along the body there are several flat discs colored orange-brown, each one encircled by several black spots and with a characteristic iridescent blue central spot. There are two smooth cylinder shaped rhinophores emerging from a sheath that has 3-5 tubercles around the opening. The rhinophores base color is yellowish with two or three brown transversal bands, overall sprayed with white. There are three partially tripinnate gills with a similar color to tubercles, located on the highest point of the dorsum and protected by a raised gill sheath, because they are not retractile. The oral tentacles are short and rounded, located in the space between the foot and the oral veil. Veil with 8 to 10 lobes, visible from below. The foot is colored translucent cream with a translucent white band around it, sprayed in opaque white around the base of the body. It has no propodial tentacles.

Biology
European specimens live from lower shore down to depths of 100m, and feed on the calcareous sponge Leucosolenia botryoides, over which it is perfectly camouflaged -it may be hidden inside the sponge- so it is very difficult to spot. Spawns in June and July, laying a spiral ribbon attached by the edge. Veliger larvae live as plankton before metamorphosing.

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.
  • Punctilucens, Latin for “points of light”.

Distribution
This species is present in Norway (near the Arctic circle), the NE Atlantic -it is widespread around the British Islands and Ireland- and south to the Mediterranean. This European species is apparently not uncommon in Japan (Sea Slug Forum), detected in China, and there are some records from eastern Australia (GBIF). Presumably this disjunct distribution is the result of human activity.

Known georeferenced records of the species: Aegires punctilucens
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:1 out of 5 stars
    Eastern Mediterranean:0 out of 5 stars
    Atlantic Ocean:2 out of 5 stars
Month

This chart displays the monthly observation probability for Aegires punctilucens based on our own records.

More pictures

Bibliography

    Abraham, P. S. 1877. Revision of the anthobranchiate nudibranchiate Mollusca with descriptions or notices of forty-one hitherto undescribed species. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1877: 196-269 [agosto].
    Adams, A. A., and H. Adams. 1853. The genera of recent Mollusca, arranged according to their organization. London (van Voorst): pp.1-256, pls 1-32, 1853; 257-484, pls 33-60, 1854 (1); 1-92, pls 61-72, 1854; 93-284, pls 73-96, 1855; 285-412, pls 97-112, 1856; 413-540, pls 113-128, 1857; 541-661, pls 129-138, 1858 (2). vol 2; pp 45-78 Oct.-Nov. 1854; pp 97-99 Jan 1855; p 632-635 Nov 1858; pls. 62-68, 137, fig. 14; pl 138, fig. 1.
    Alder, J. 1869. Account of the British Nudibranchiata. Jeffrey’s British Conchology 5:18-94.
    Alder, J., and A. Hancock. 1848. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate Mollusca: with figures of all the species. Ray Society, London.
    Alder, J., and A. Hancock. 1854. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate Mollusca: with figures of all the species. Ray Society, London.
    Alder, J., and A. Hancock. 1846. Notices of some new and rare British species of naked Mollusca. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 18: 289-294, pl. 4 [novembre].
    Alder, J., and A. Hancock. 1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate Mollusca: with figures of all the species. Ray Society, London.
    Anderson, J. 1999. Aegires punctilucens accessed through: Scottish Nudibranchs on 2014-12-21. (http://www.nudibranch.org/Scottish Nudibranchs/aegires-punctilucens.html).
    Australian Museum Business Services. 2002. Port survey for introduced marine species – Sydney Harbour, final report, viii + 62 pp. Appendix 18. Australian Museum and Royal Botanic  Gardens database search for all marine species from Sydney Harbour, 38 unnumbered pages.
    Baba, K. 1974. Aegires punctilucens (d’Orbigny, 1837) new to Japan (Opisthobranchia: Doridoidea: Aegiretidae). Collecting & Breeding Saishu to Shiiku 36(10):198-199.
    Baba, K. 1974. New distributional record of Aegires punctilucens (d’Orbigny, 1837) from Sado Island, Japan (Nudibranchia: Doridoidea: Aegiretidae). Veliger 17(1):11-12.
    Ballesteros, M. 1980. Contribución al conocimientos de los Sacoglosos y Nudibranquios (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia). Estudio anatómico, sistemático y faunístico de las especies del mediterráneo español. Tesis Doctoral.
    Ballesteros, M. 2007. Lista actualizada de los opistobranquios (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) de las costas catalanas. Spira. 2: 163–188.
    Ballesteros, M., C. Álvarez, and B. Mateo. 1986. Aproximación a la fauna de opistobranquios de la isla de Menorca. Publicaciones del Departamento de Zoología (Barcelona) 12: 93-106.
    Ballesteros, M., E. Madrenas, and M. Pontes. 2016. Actualización del catálogo de los moluscos opistobranquios (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) de las costas catalanas. Spira 6(2016): 1-28.
    Ballesteros, M., M. Pontes, and E. Madrenas. 2019. Els nudibranquis del mar català. Brau Edicions, Figueres.
    Ballesteros, M., E. Madrenas, and M. Pontes. 2022. OPK - Opistobranquis. (https://opistobranquis.info/).
    Barletta, G. 1981. Gasteropodi nudi (Pleurobranchomorpha, Sacoglossa, Aplysiomorpha e Nudibranchia) Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Guide per il riconoscimento delle specie animali delle acque lagunari e costiere italiane AQ/1/92, 3. Quaderni della Civica Stazione Idrobiologica di Milano (9):1-124.
    Beaumont, W. I. 1900. Part II.–The benthos (dredging and shore collecting). VII.–Report on the results of dredging and shore- collecting; pp 754-798, In: The fauna and flora of Valencia Harbour on the west coast of Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, series 3, 5(3):667-854.
    Beaumont, W. I. 1900. XII–Report on the opisthobranchiate Mollusca; pp 832-854, In: The fauna and flora of Valencia Harbour on the west coast of Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, series 3, 5(3):667-854.
    Bedulli, D., R. Cattaneo-Vietti, R. Chemello, F. Ghisotti, and F. Giovine. 1995. Gastropoda Opisthobranchia, Divasibranchia, Gymnomorpha, Fascicolo 15, pp. 1-23.  In: A. Minelli, A. Ruffo, & S. La Posta (Eds.). Checklist delle specie fauna italiana, Checklist delle specie della Fauna Italiana. Calderini, Bologna.
    Bergh, L. S. R. 1883. Beitrage zu einer Monographie der Polyceraden. III. Verhandlungen der koniglich-kaiserlich Zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien (Abhandlungen) 33:135- 180, pls. 6-10.
    Bergh, L. S. R. 1881. Beitrage zu einer Monographie der Polyceraden, II. Verhandlungen der koniglich-kaiserlich Zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien (Abhandlungen) 30:629- 668, pls. X-XV.
    Bergh, L. S. R. 1908. Malacologische Untersuchungen, In: Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen von Dr Carl Gottfried Semper. Zweiter Theil. Wissenschaftliche Resultate. Band 9, Theil 6, Heft 3; pp 119-181, pls. 9-12.
    Bergh, R. 1892. System der Nudibranchiaten Gasteropoden. Malacologische Untersuchungen. In: Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen von Dr. Carl Gottfried Semper. Zweiter Theil#Wissenschaftliche Resultate. Band 7, Theil 5. [pp. 1–51, pls 1–4, Mar. 1897; pp. 53–115, pls 5–8, Dec. 1897; pp. 117–158, pls 9–12, Nov. 1898; pp. 159–208, pls 13–16, 27 Mar. 1900; pp. 209–256, pls 17–20, 29 Jan. 1901; pp. 257–312, pls. 21–24, 15 Oct. 1901; pp. 313–382, pls 25–29, 7 Oct. 1902].
    Bergh, L. S. R. 1878. Malacologische Untersuchungen, In: Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen von Dr Carl Gottfried Semper. Zweiter Theil. Wissenschaftliche Resultate. Band 2, Theil 2, Heft 14; pp 603-645, I-L, pls. 66-68.
    Bertsch, H. 1980. The nudibranch Aegires albopunctatus (Polyceratacea: Aegiretidae) preys on Leucilla nuttingi (Porifera: Calcarea). Veliger 22(3):222-224.
    Bickell, L. R., and F.-S. Chia. 1979. Organogenesis and histogenesis in the planktotrophic veliger of Doridella steinbergae (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia). Marine Biology 52(4):291-313.
    Bielecki, S., G. Cavignaux, J. M. Crouzet, and S. Grall. 2011. Des limaces de rêve.
    Brown, G. H., and B. E. Picton. 1979. Nudibranchs of the British Isles — a colour guide. Underwater Conservation Society, Manchester, by R. Earll.
    Calado, G., V. Urgorri, R. Gaspar, and F. J. Cristobo. 1999. Catálogo de los moluscos opistobranquios bentónicos de las costas de Setúbal-Espichel (Portugal). Nova Acta Científica Compostelana (Bioloxía) 9: 285-294.
    Calado, G., M. Malaquias, C. Gavaia, J. L. Cervera, C. Megina, B. Dayrat, Y. Camacho, M. Pola, and C. Grance. 2003. New data on opisthobranchs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from the southwestern coast of Portugal. Boletín Instituto Español de Oceanografía 19 (1-4): 199-204.
    Cattaneo-Vietti, R. 1986. Alcune considerazioni sui molluschi opistobranchi del Mar Ligure. Lavori Societa Italiana di Malacologia 22:85-96.
    Cattaneo-Vietti, R., and G. Barletta. 1984. Elenco preliminare dei molluschi opistobranchi viventi nel Mediterraneo (Sacoglossa, Pleurobranchomorpha, Acochlidiacea, Aplysiomorpha, Nudibranchia). Bollettino Malacologico (Pubblicazione Mensile Edita dalla Societa Italiana di Malacologia) 20(9-12):195-218.
    Cattaneo-Vietti, R., and T. E. Thompson. 1989. Mediterranean opisthobranch molluscs: a zoogeographic approach. Bollettino Malacologico (Pubblicazione Mensile Edita dalla Societa Italiana di Malacologia) 25(5-8):183-204.
    Cattaneo-Vietti, R., R. Chemello, and R. Giannuzzi-Savelli. 1990. Atlas of Mediterranean Nudibranchs. La Conchiglia, Rome, Italy.
    Cervera, J. L., J. Templado, J. C. García-Gómez, M. Ballesteros, J. Ortea, F. J. García, J. Ros, and A. A. Luque. 1988. Catálogo actualizado y comentado de los Opistobranquios (Mollusca, Gastropoda) de la Península Ibérica, Baleares y Canarias, con algunas referencias a Ceuta y la isla de Alborán. Iberus, supl. 1: 1-84.
    Cervera, J. L., G. Calado, C. Gavaia, M. A. E. Malaquías, J. Templado, M. Ballesteros, J. C. García-Gómez, and C. Megina. 2004. An annotated and updated checklist of the opisthobranchs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Spain and Portugal (including islands and archipelagos). Boletín Instituto Español de Oceanografía, 20 (1-4): 1-111. L.
    Cockerell, T. D. A., and C. N. E. Eliot. 1905. Notes on a collection of Californian nudibranchs. Journal of Malacology 12(3):31-53, pls. 7-8.
    Colgan, N. 1914. The opisthobranch fauna of the shores and shallow waters of County Dublin. Irish Naturalist 23:161-204.
    Cornet, R., and M. Marchad. 1951. Inventaire de la faune marine de Roscoff Mollusques. Travaux de la Station Biologique de Roscoff, Suppl 5:1-80.
    D’Orbigny, A. 1837. Memoire sur des especes et sur des genres nouveaux de l’ordre des nudibranches, observes sur les cotes de France. Guerin Magasin de Zoologie 7 Class 5; pp 1-16, pls. 102- 109.
    D’Orbigny, A. 1834. Voyage dans l’Amérique méridionale... exécuté pendant les années 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832 et 1833. P. Bertrand, Paris, and Levrault, Strasbourg. Available online from Biodiversity Heritage Library [Text] [Atlas].
    Dautzenberg, P., and P. H. Fischer. 1925. Les mollusques marins du Finistere et en particulier de la region de Roscoff. Travaux de la Station Biologique de Roscoff 3:1-180.
    de Montaudouin, X., and P.-G. Sauriau. 2000. Contribution to a synopsis of marine species  richness in the Perthuis Charentais Sea with new insights in soft-bottom macrofauna of the Marennes- Oléron Bay. Cahiers de Biologie Marine 41(2):181-222.
    Debelius, H., and R. H. Kuiter. 2007. Nudibranchs of the world. IKAN- Unterwasserarchiv, Frankfurt.
    Dons, C. 1933. Zoologiske Notiser XVI. Aegires punctilucens i Norge. Det Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskabs Forhandlinger 5(5):17-18.
    Eales, N. B. 1967. The littoral fauna of the British Isles: a handbook for collectors, 4th ed; pp i-xviii, 1-297, pls. A-H. University Press, Cambridge, England.
    Edmunds, M. 1971. Opisthobranchiate Mollusca from Tanzania (suborder Doridacea). Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 59(4):339-396, pl 1.
    Edmunds, M. 1968. Acid secretion in some species of Doridacea (Mollusca, Nudibranchia). Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London 38:121-133; tbls. 1-3; figs. 1-4.

    Bibliography based on the works by Steve Long, 2006. Bibliography of Opisthobranchia 1554-2000 and Gary McDonald, 2009. Bibliographia Nudibranchia, with later updates from other resources.

Further reading

Cite this article as:

Pontes, Miquel, Manuel Ballesteros, Enric Madrenas (2022) "Aegires punctilucens" in OPK-Opistobranquis. Published: 28/08/2012. Accessed: 16/05/2022. Available at (https://opistobranquis.info/en/4i01M)

To copy this cite click on the right button.