Black-and-gold Sapsucking Slug

Cyerce nigra is a sacoglossan (sap-sucking) sea slug of the Caliphyllidae (Polybranchiidae) family.

Description

It has long bifurcated (forked) rhinophores and the distinctive shape of their cerata, being usually flattened and either leaf-like. Its black cerata marked with white lines and gold submargin on outer surface and gold spots on inner surface. The sole of the foot bears a groove across its center. It can change the orientation of its cerata according to its behavior: - at rest, the cerata are flattened and overlapped in longitudinal series like scales; - when this Sacoglossa crawls, the cerata are elevated and curled; - when strongly stimulated, itswims by powerfully flapping its cerata in coordinated waves.

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific to Papua New Guinea, East Australia and Palau.

Habitat

It lays a flat, broad, white egg masses consisting of three and a quarter turns. It feeds on the green algae Chlorodesmis fastigiata, commonly known as turtle weed.