Back to superfamily Sap-sucking sea slugsBack to order Sap-sucking sea slugsBack to the gallery
Plakobranchidae
Plakobranchidae is the largest family of sacoglossan sea slugs (Sacoglossa), with genera such as Elysia, Thuridilla and Plakobranchus; Elysia alone has well over 100 species. It occurs worldwide, especially in tropical seas, and several Elysia species live in the Mediterranean and Israel. All are herbivores that pierce algal cells and suck out the contents. Many keep functional chloroplasts from their food for weeks to months ('kleptoplasty'), making them partly 'solar-powered'.
Smooth slugs without cerata, with a pair of wide parapodia that fold up over the back like wings and can open out. The head bears rolled rhinophores. Elysia species are often green, Thuridilla are boldly striped in blue, orange, black and white, and Plakobranchus has a flattened body with many ridges on the inner side of the parapodia.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/family/Plakobranchidae/
