Aegires gardineri (Eliot, 1906)

Previously placed in Notodoris Bergh 1875 this is one of the larger Aegires, some specimens reaching 80 mm in length. It is also one of the most variable in coloration. Normally bright yellow with black mottling's, the pair shown here are an interesting variation - white with black markings.

Mike's pair also demonstrate the extremes in darkness, one being light, the other quite dark in color. The rhinophores are conical and smooth and the gill is protected by large lobes. This species feeds on the yellow sponges Lucetta primigera and Pericharax heterographis.

The egg mass of A. gardineri is also yellow in color as seen below.