Phyllaplysia

Taxobox
name = "Phyllaplysia"
status = secure

---

image_size = 225px
image_caption = "Phyllaplysia taylori"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
subclassis = Orthogastropoda
superordo = Heterobranchia
ordo = Opisthobranchia
subordo = Anaspidea
superfamilia = Aplysioidea
familia = Aplysiidae
genus = "Phyllaplysia"
genus authority = Fischer, 1872
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text

"Phyllaplysia" is a genus of sea slugs, specifically sea hares, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Aplysiidae, the sea hares.

Some authors place this genus in a separate family, Dolabriferidae.

(Note: Gastropod taxonomy has been in flux for more than half a century, and this is especially true currently, because of new research in molecular phylogeny. Because of these on-going changes, different reliable sources can yield different classifications.)

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

pecies

*"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 or Eelgrass Sea Hare, syn : "Phyllaplysia zostericola"
**Distribution : US Pacific Coast; Range from British Columbia, Canada to San Diego, CA, USA
**Color : two color morphs have been observed, bright green & yellow, with characteristic black and white stripes (see Beeman 1970 for more complete description)
**Description : rather primitive species; dorsally flattened body; well camouflaged, found almost exclusively on eelgrass, "Zostera marina"; grazes on epiphytes that settle on "Zostera" blades - sponges and diatoms.
**Predators : possible predators include sunfish, starfishes of the genus "Solaster")

External links

* [http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/kerryw/creature/creatjpg/taylornud.jpgPhoto of Taylor's Sea Hare]