Phyllaplysia
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Phyllaplysia (Fischer, 1872) is a genus of sea hares, belonging to the family Aplysiidae. Some authors place it in a separate family Dolabriferidae.
A more general description can be found on the page of the superfamily Aplysioidea.
- Phyllaplysia engeli Marcus, 1955
- Distribution : tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Length : 5 mm
- Phyllaplysia padinae Williams & Gosliner, 1973
- Distribution : in bays and estuaries of the Gulf of California.
- Length : 45 mm
- Color : greenish with white spots
- Phyllaplysia smaragda K.B. Clark, 1977 or Emerald Leaf Slug
- Distribution : along Florida's Atlantic Coast
- Description : feeds on algae growing on the seagrass Syringodium. Discovered in 1970 and not been seen since 1982. It is now reported [extinct]], even if it was never listed on the Endangered Species Act.
- Phyllaplysia taylori Dall, 1900. : Taylor’s Sea Hare, Eelgrass Sea Hare
- Distribution : US Pacific Coast.
- Color : greenish, with characteristic black and white stripes
- Description : rather primitive species; dorsally flattened body; well camouflaged, to be found on eelgrass (Zostera marina); feeds on various sponges and diatoms.
- Predators : sunfish (starfish of the genus Solaster)
External links
- Anatomy of Taylor's Sea Hare (http://oceanlink.island.net/surrey%20forum%20nov02/andrew/andrewsnudipro_files/nudi%20body.jpg)
- Photo of Taylor's Sea Hare (http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/kerryw/creature/creatjpg/taylornud.jpg)
