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Phyllaplysia
taylori (Eelgrass sea slug)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
This
organism is not a nudibranch, but instead, is in the order Anaspidea,
making it closely related to sea hares. Bright green coloration
with black and white stripes running the length of the body provide
camouflage allowing it to blend with the eelgrass ( Zostera
spp. ) blades it calls home. Usually less than 2 inches
long, it occasionally reaches a length of 3 inches. Phyllaplysia
feeds on diatoms and other small organisms gleaned from the
eelgrass blades. Another common name for it is Taylor's sea
hare.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 12/7/05.
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Additional
information on this species may be found as follows:
Pacific
Coast Nudibranchs: A Guide to the Opisthobranchs, Alaska to Baja
California by David W. Behrens, Sea Challengers, Second edition,
1991.
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