Family
sea hares
Aplysiidae
- Species in the gallery
- 5
- Genera
- 3
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Description
Aplysiidae are the sea hares, the main family of the order Aplysiida within Heterobranchia. The family contains around ten genera, including Aplysia, Dolabella, Dolabrifera, Stylocheilus and Bursatella, and occurs in warm and temperate seas worldwide; several species are common in the Mediterranean and along the Israeli coast. They are herbivores grazing on algae and seagrass epiphytes. When disturbed many release ink and an opaline secretion as a defence, and Aplysia is a classic model animal in neurobiology.
Identification
Large, soft, plump slugs with two pairs of head tentacles: rolled rhinophores that look like a hare's ears and flattened oral tentacles. Paired fleshy flaps (parapodia) rise along the sides and largely cover the back, enclosing the mantle and a thin internal shell. Colours are mostly mottled brown, olive or green, unlike the bright patterns of many nudibranchs.
Genera
5 species
Sources (2)
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/family/Aplysiidae/