Cyerce nigricans
| Cyerce nigricans | |
|---|---|
| Cyerce nigricans on Chlorodesmis fastigiata. Locality: Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. The length of the slug is about 4 cm. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Family: | Hermaeidae |
| Genus: | Cyerce |
| Species: | C. nigricans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cyerce nigricans | |
Cyerce nigricans, is a species of sacoglossan sea slug, a shell-less marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusk in the family Caliphyllidae.[2] Akin to other species of sea slugs, they dwell in reef flats and similar areas.[3] In contrast to the rest of the genus Cyerce, Cyerce nigricans are not cryptically colored. They are often used as the staple animal of the Great Barrier Reef because of their outlandish coloration, often appearing in blacks, yellows, reds, and oranges. The cerata of Cyerce nigricans are occasionally compared to the wings of a butterfly, based on their shape and color. This sea slug has developed autotomy, or the ability to drop parts of its cerata when threatened.[3]
Distribution
This species has been observed in the western and central Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.[4] The last known sighting of the Black-and-gold Sapsucking Slug was in the Pemba North Region on January 4, 2026.[5]
References
- ^ Pease W. H. (1866). "Remarks on nudibranchiata inhabiting the Pacific islands, with descriptions of two new genera". American Journal of Conchology 2(2): 204-208.
- ^ Bouchet, P. (2015). Cyerce nigricans (Pease, 1866). In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=494516 on 2016-03-03
- ^ a b Rudman, WB (2010-07-15). "The Sea Slug Forum - Cyerce nigricans". www.seaslugforum.net. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Cyerce nigricans ( Pease, 1866) http://seaslugs.free.fr/nudibranche/a_cyerce_nigricans.htm
- ^ etanganelli (2026-01-14). "Black-and-gold Sapsucking Slug (Cyerce nigricans)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
- Jensen K.R. (2007) Biogeography of the Sacoglossa (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia). Bonner Zoologische Beiträge 55:255–281
External links
- Sea Slug Forum info
- Photos of Cyerce nigricans in the Sealife Collection