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Aplysia Dactylomela - The Spotted Sea Hare
Aplysia dactylomela is a member of the Sea Hares, a group in Mollusca: Gastropoda characterized by two rhinophores located on the top of the head which resemble rabbit ears, which results in A. dactylomela's common name of The Spotted Sea Hare. |
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Video courtesy of the
Government of Bermuda - Department of Conservation Services
Used with permission
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The apomorphy that distinguishes the Spotted Sea Hare from its sister taxa is the presence of irregular black rings on both the inside and ouside of the parapodia (the wing-like body parts that are folded together with their ends meeting at the dorsal side of the A. dactylomela shown in the image above). |
Watch The Spotted Sea Hare caught in action by the Underwater Cameraman
Link courtesy Claudio Valerio
Additional videos by this author found at
www.claudio-valerio.com
This organism can swim in the water column and crawl on the substrate in its temperate water habitat. In addition, it can defend itself from predators such as certain genera of starfish and sea anemone through its purple dye (inking) (above) or by releasing irritants from its opaline glands. |
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To view other websites done by students at
the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse,
go to
MultipleOrganisms.net
Other Helpful Websites
thecephalopodpage: Marine Invertebrates of Bermuda
Sea Slug Forum
Okinawa Slug Site
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