Pruvot-Fol A. (1930) Diagnoses provisoires (incomplètes) des espèces nouvelles et liste provisoire des mollusques nudibranches recueillis par Mme A. Pruvot-Fol en Nouvelle Cadédonie (Ile de Pins). Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle ser. 2, 2: 229-233.

Aegires citrinus Pruvot-Fol, 1930

This species has been observed on Reunion Island

Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Polyceroidea
Family : Aegiridae
Distribution : Indo West Pacific
Maximal size : 15 mm
Abundance :

Species characteristics :

The background color is pale to medium yellow with tan spots. The tubercles are the same color, as are the rhinophores.

The dorsum has tall, anvil-shaped tubercles with flat tops

The rhinophores are smooth

Showing species characteristics...

Photo Sébastien Vasquez
Reunion, Cap la Houssaye, less 1 m, 4 April 2015, size : 6 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Nathalie Yonow. Some people considered that it's a new species Aegires pruvotfolae
Synonymous : (according worms) :
- Aegires pruvotfolae Fahey & Gosliner, 2004

Bibliographic data :

It ranges in colour from pale, to a deep yellow depending on the colour of the sponge on which it is feeding
    The rhinophore pocket is elevated and has one tall tubercle on the outside perímeter
    The posteríor end of the foot has low tubercles that are much smaller than those on the dorsum
    The gill pocket lies in the posterior third of the dorsum and three large anvil-shaped tubercles protect the anterior side of the gíll pocket. The three small gill leaves are tripinnate.
    Spicules protrude from the tops of all tubercles
    The species of the genus Aegires are all small, and feed on calcareous sponges.

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Aegires citrinus
Nudipixel Aegires pruvotfolae
Philippines Seaslug Aegires citrinus

Publications :

Fahey S.J. & T.M. Gosliner. 2004. A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Aegiridae Fischer, 1883 (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Phanerobranchia) with Descriptions of Eight New Species and a Reassessment of Phanerobranch Relationships. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 55 (34): 613-689, 82 figs., 4 tables.
Pruvot-Fol A. (1930) Diagnoses provisoires (incomplètes) des espèces nouvelles et liste provisoire des mollusques nudibranches recueillis par Mme A. Pruvot-Fol en Nouvelle Cadédonie (Ile de Pins). Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle ser. 2, 2: 229-233.

Other photos of Aegires citrinus :

Nathalie Rodrigues

Reunion, Cap la Houssaye, less 1 m, 4 April 2015, size : 6 mm

The same specimen than Sébastien Vasquez...