Brief Summary

Aplysia dactylomela are herbivorous gastropod molluscs that belong to the group Opisthobranchia, informally referred to as sea slugs (Rupert, Fox & Barnes 2004). Despite their slug-like appearance however, sensory appendages known as rhinophores, are said to be reminiscent of rabbit ears and have lead to them being more commonly referred to as ‘sea hares’ (Carefoot 1987). Unlike most gastropods though, Aplysia have only a reduced shell, covered by the mantle cavity, that is the result of an evolutionary secondary detorsion (Rupert, Fox and Barnes 2004). As simultaneous hermaphrodites, Aplysia are often found in intertwined groups known as mating chains (Carefoot 1987).

With a widespread distribution through tropical to temperate waters, Aplysia dactylomela are the most commonly occurring Aplysia species to be found around Heron Island, on the Great Barrier Reef (Marshall & Willan 1999). They frequent the shallow intertidal to littoral zone of the reef flat and can often be found feeding on patches of red, green or brown algae (Marshall & Willan 1999).