Description
The white-speckled headshield slug, also known as Biuve fulvipunctata, is a species of marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusk that belongs to the family Aglajidae.
B. fulvipunctata is a long, somewhat cylindrical gastropod with a relatively thin interior shell. Its body is separated into a visceral hump that is partially covered by a posterior mantle shield and a cephalic shield. The cephalic shield is generally divided, with the front edge being wider than the posterior tip. The dorsal surface hides the eyes, which are located on the front of the head and are essentially invisible. A mound that is coated in sensitive bristles is on either side of the mouth. The animal has two lateral parapodia on either side of its foot.
The symmetrical, two long parapodia fold over and partially encircle the dorsal surface. From the back of the mantle shield, a pair of tapering lobes protrude; the left lobe is longer than the right, which is significantly shorter.
The majority of this species’ specimens have a background hue of dark brown or black with a bluish sheen, while others are reddish brown with tiny yellow spots. Both a white or pale yellow crescent-shaped marking at the rear edge of the head shield and a white or pale yellow letter-shaped mark across the anterior border of the head, which may only be partially visible on some specimens, are distinguishing features.
Geographical Distribution
The western Pacific region, which stretches from Mexico and Hawaii west to Japan and the east coast of Australia and Lord Howe Island, via Indonesia and the tropical Indian Ocean to the Mascarene Islands, Mozambique, and South Africa, is home to a large population of Biuve fulvipunctata.
Behavior
Prey is located using the sensory mounds on either side of the mouth. It is nocturnal and, like species in the genus Chelidonura, is reported to feed on small polychaete worms and acoelomate flatworms. Eggs are placed in threads covered with mucus, and detritus sticks to the mucus to reinforce and conceal the egg strings.
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