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| sea hares text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > sea slugs > Order Anaspidea |
| Black-tailed
sea hare Aplysia dactylomela Family Aplysiidae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This large sea hare is sometimes seen near reefs. Elsewhere, it is considered among the most commonly encountered sea hares in the Indo-Pacific. Features: About 12cm. The large body is long, fleshy and smooth. It is distinguished by a pattern of large black eye-like rings. There is a network of fine black lines all over including over the tentacles. It does have a black 'tail'! The inner side of the parapodia had striking white blobs. There are two pairs of large tentacles. It is said that when disturbed, it releases purple ink. But the one seen didn't do this. What do they eat? Like other sea hares, they graze on seaweeds. Some accounts say they prefer red seaweeds but will feed on others if their preferred food is not available. Other accounts say they feed on green seaweed. Some of seaweeds identified as their food include Udotea, Rhinocephalus, Caulerpa, Penicillus and Halimeda. |
 Sentosa, Jun 05  Large oral tentacles and rhinophores. |
 Sentosa, Jun 05 |
 A black 'tail'. |
 Sentosa, Jun 05 |
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 Lazarus, Jun 09 |
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 Pulau Jong, May 10 |
Links
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IKAN-Unterwasserachiv, Frankfurt. 321 pp.
. IKAN-Unterwasserachiv. 723pp.|
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