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Aeolidia papillosa

(Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch)

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Common Names in English:

Common Grey Sea Slug, Maned Nudibranch, Mossy Nudibranch, Papillose Aeolid, Sea Mouse, Shag Rug Nudibranch, Shag-Rug Aeolis, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch

Description

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Physical Description

Species Aeolidia papillosa

Like other Aeolid nudibranchs, this species has its anus on the right side of the body on an inconspicuous tubercle, it has dorsal outgrowths such as cerata (which are cylindrical, lanceolate, or leaflike but not bushy and are usually arranged in transverse rows ), the rhinophores stand free and cannot be retracted into a sheath . Aeolidia papillosa has many flattened, lanceolate cerata but a bare area down the middle of the dorsum with no cerata. It has no sail-like ridge on the posterior side of its cerata, at least several rows of cerata are based anterior to the rhinophores, the cerata are less than 1/3 the length of the body, the tail tapers to a blunt point (is not sharply drawn out into a point) (photo), the anterolateral corners of the foot project as pedal tentacles (photo). The body and cerata are covered with gray to brown spots, especially on the cerata (some animals may lack pigment). Usually there is a bright white triangular patch on the dorsum over the head just anterior to the rhinophores (photo). The rhinophores are smooth and taper gradually from the base to the tip , which appears to have a pore in it. Although hepatic diverticula from the digestive system extend into each of the cerata, the paths of these diverticula are not readily visible from outside if the animal is pigmented . Color variable but often light brownish, brownish-cream, white, gray, or pink with lighter spots down the center of the dorsum. It often takes on some of the color of the anemones it is eating. Often 3-5 cm long, may attain 6 or even 10 cm.

Habitat

On rocks, or may be on floats or docks. Often near its perferred prey , Anthopleura elegantissima. Intertidal to 900 m

Typically found in the intertidal zone at the water's edge at a mean distance from sea level of 116 meters (381 feet).[1]

Biology

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Diet

Feeds on anemones, especially Anthopleuraelegantissima and secondarily Metridium senile. Also may feed on Urticina crassicornis, Anthopleura xanthogrammica, and Epiactis prolifera, the young of which it may swallow whole, as well as sea pens and hydroids . It can detect its prey from a distance . It apparently does not prey on Anthopleura artemisia. It is said to be a voracious predator , consuming enough anemone tissue to equal half or all its body weight per day. It preys on large anemones by first spreading mucus on the column, then biting off and swallowing chunks . The mucus may shield the nudibranch from nematocyst discharge , plus this species' mucus seems to elicit less nematocyst discharge than does the mucus from other, non-anemone-eating nudibranchs such as Hermissenda crassicornis or Cadlina luteomarginata so it may have some inhibitory effect. (Anemones may eat Hermissenda or Cadlina, but Aeolidia eats the anemone). Tough cuticle in the mouth and esophagus may protect those areas from nematocysts. It may eventually eat entire large anemones. After eating Anthopleura elegantissima which is symbiotic with algae, the algae may also be segregated into the tips of its cerata where they continue photosynthesis.

Reproduction

In SE Alaska this species reproduces late March to late April. It lays a white to pinkish, coiled string of eggs in capsules which are attached to rocks or eelgrass leaves. In Washington, eggs hatch as veligers after 10-24 days.

Taxonomy

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Unambiguous Synonyms

  1. Aeolidia farinacea


Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name . Latest taxonomic scrutiny: 17-Oct-2001.

Similar Species

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Flabellina salmonacea looks similar but no cerata are attached anterior to the rhinophores. A deep-water species, A. herculea, lives at depths greater than 500 m.

Members of the genus Aeolidia

There are approximately 2 species in this genus:

A. helicochorda · A. papillosa (Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal December 11, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. Standard Deviation = 922.950 based on 385 observations. Terrestrial altitude and ocean depth information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 2009-06-09