Aplysia juliana

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Aplysiida
Family: Aplysiidae
Genus: Aplysia
Species: Aplysia juliana

Aplysia juliana is a sea hare in the family Aplysiidae. The animal photographed here is pale yellow. Its rolled rhinophores and broad body flaps, called parapodia, are useful features to examine alongside colour when recognising an Aplysia.

Sea hares feed on algae, grazing rather than hunting the animal prey eaten by many nudibranchs. Colour alone does not reveal which algae an individual has eaten, and an exact food species cannot be identified from these photographs.

For divers exploring the Philippines, the book offers a starting point for comparing sea hare photographs. Try to record the head, body outline and flap margins rather than relying on a single close crop.

Approach slowly and stay clear of the bottom. A low side view can show the head well, while a wider frame records the body. Leave the animal in its original position and avoid stirring sediment.

It appears on page 301 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.

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