Aplysia sp. 1
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Class
- Gastropoda
- Order
- Aplysiida
- Family
- Aplysiidae
- Genus
- Aplysia
- Species
- Aplysia sp. 1
Aplysia sp. 1 is a sea hare in the family Aplysiidae. It has not yet been formally described, so it has no species name.
It has a yellowish body covered in dark brown spots, giving it a leopard-like look. Like other sea hares, it has two rolled rhinophores on the head that look like a rabbit's ears, and wing-like flaps called parapodia folded up over its back.
Sea hares graze on algae, and Aplysia can release a cloud of ink when threatened.
In the Philippines look for sea hares on algae-covered rock, rubble and seagrass. Approach slowly and keep your fins off the bottom, since a disturbed sea hare may ink or pull in its head. A side-on shot at eye level shows off the spotted pattern and the rhinophores together.
It appears on page 300 of Nudibranchs of the Philippines.
Get our entire Nudibranchs of the Philippines book.