Phyllaplysia

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Phyllaplysia | status = Conservation status: Secure | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Mollusca | classis = Gastropoda | subclassis = Orthogastropoda | superordo = Heterobranchia | ordo = Opisthobranchia | subordo = Anaspidea | superfamilia = Aplysioidea | familia = Aplysiidae | genus = Phyllaplysia | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision =

• Phyllaplysia engeli
• Phyllaplysia padinae
• Phyllaplysia smaragda
• Phyllaplysia taylori

}}

Phyllaplysia (Fischer, 1872) is a genus of sea hares, belonging to the family Aplysiidae. Some authors place it in a separate family Dolabriferidae.

A more general description can be found on the page of the superfamily Aplysioidea.

• Phyllaplysia engeli Marcus, 1955
  • Distribution : tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Length : 5 mm
• Phyllaplysia padinae Williams & Gosliner, 1973
  • Distribution : in bays and estuaries of the Gulf of California.
  • Length : 45 mm
  • Color : greenish with white spots
• Phyllaplysia smaragda K.B. Clark, 1977 or Emerald Leaf Slug
  • Distribution : along Florida's Atlantic Coast
  • Description : feeds on algae growing on the seagrass Syringodium. Discovered in 1970 and not been seen since 1982. It is now reported [extinct]], even if it was never listed on the Endangered Species Act.
• Phyllaplysia taylori Dall, 1900. : Taylor’s Sea Hare, Eelgrass Sea Hare
  • Distribution : US Pacific Coast.
  • Color : greenish, with characteristic black and white stripes
  • Description : rather primitive species; dorsally flattened body; well camouflaged, to be found on eelgrass (Zostera marina); feeds on various sponges and diatoms.
  • Predators : sunfish (starfish of the genus Solaster)

External links

• Photo of Taylor's Sea Hare