Warty Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch – Aeolidia loui

, Warty Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch - Aeolidia loui, Aeolidia loui

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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 Warty Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch, scientifically known as Aeolidia loui, is a captivating species of sea slug belonging to the family Aeolidiidae. These nudibranchs are renowned for their distinctive appearance and fascinating feeding habits.

Description & Characteristics

Aeolidia loui is a striking nudibranch that can reach a maximum size of approximately 50 millimeters. Its body is covered in numerous cerata, small finger-like projections that give it a shaggy, almost furry appearance. The cerata are typically white or cream-colored and may be tipped with orange or red. This combination of colors and textures contributes to the “shaggy” moniker often applied to this species. The Warty Shag-rug Nudibranch also features wart-like bumps scattered across its body, further enhancing its unique appearance. These bumps may have varying shades of brown or reddish-brown, adding to the complexity of its coloration.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Warty Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch, Aeolidia loui, is a common sight in the coastal waters of the northeastern Pacific Ocean. These nudibranchs typically inhabit intertidal zones and shallow subtidal areas, making them a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems. They are often found in rocky or kelp-covered habitats, where they can readily access their preferred prey.

Taxonomy

The species Aeolidia loui belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Aeolidiidae. Gastropoda is a vast and diverse class within the phylum Mollusca, encompassing a wide range of shelled and shell-less creatures. The Order Nudibranchia, commonly known as sea slugs, is a group within the Gastropoda distinguished by the absence of a shell in their adult stage. The Family Aeolidiidae, to which Aeolidia loui belongs, is characterized by the presence of numerous cerata, which serve as both respiratory and defensive structures.

Feeding

The Warty Shag-rug Nudibranch, Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch, Aeolidia loui is a predatory species that feeds on a variety of cnidarians, including sea anemones. This nudibranch has the remarkable ability to consume the stinging cells of its prey and store them in its cerata. These stolen stinging cells, called nematocysts, provide Aeolidia loui with a potent defense mechanism, allowing it to ward off potential predators.

Associated Species

Image References

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