Shaggy Aegires

Aegires villosus is a species of sea slug. It is a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Aegiridae.

Description

The mantle and the tail have spicules arranged into numerous, high papillae, each being narrow with an enlarged spherical cap. Most papillae have a magenta spot at the summit, but some papillae, especially on the sides, are white. The body is generally opaque white with some yellow or apricot/orange patches dorsally. They are also usually some magenta spots and streaks on the dorsum. The smooth, simple rhinophores are always orange with a crimson tip, as are the extra-branchial appendages that surround the white gill. In juveniles the papillae are proportionally much longer than in adults.

Distribution

Widespread Indo-West Pacific species.

Diet

Aegires villosus feeds on calcareous sponges.