Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch, Grey Sea Slug – Aeolidia papillosa

, Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch, Grey Sea Slug, Aeolidia papillosa
Depth: 0 - 750 m

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

The Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch, Grey Sea Slug – Aeolidia papillosa is a captivating species of sea slug belonging to the family Aeolidiidae. These nudibranchs are known for their distinctive appearance and intriguing feeding habits.

Description & Characteristics

Aeolidia papillosa is a relatively large nudibranch, with adults reaching a maximum size of around 60 mm in length. Its body is characterized by a grey, shaggy appearance, owing to the numerous cerata, or finger-like projections, that cover its back. These cerata are densely packed and give the animal a “shaggy” or “furry” look. The cerata are also tipped with bright orange or red, adding a splash of color to its otherwise muted appearance. The underside of the Aeolidia papillosa is a paler cream color, providing a contrasting element to its dorsal surface.

Habitat and Occurrence

Aeolidia papillosa is a common sight in intertidal zones, tidal zones, and shallow coastal waters. They are often found clinging to various substrates, including bollards, jetties, sea bridges, port facilities, and even soft grounds. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in a variety of habitats, including tide pools and rock pools, where they are often seen grazing on their preferred prey.

Taxonomy

The species Aeolidia papillosa belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Aeolidiidae. This classification places it within a group of marine gastropods that lack a shell and are renowned for their striking beauty and diversity.

Feeding

Aeolidia papillosa is a voracious predator, specializing in feeding on cnidarians, particularly sea anemones. Their diet consists of various species of anemones, which they consume whole using their radula, a specialized tongue-like structure with rows of teeth. While consuming their prey, the Aeolidia papillosa stores the stinging nematocysts, or stinging cells, from the anemones in their cerata. These stolen nematocysts act as a form of defense, providing the nudibranch with a potent weapon against potential predators.

Associated Species

Image References

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