Stylocheilus

Taxobox
name = "Stylocheilus"


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Stylocheilus longicauda"
status = secure
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Mollusca
classis = Gastropoda
subclassis = Orthogastropoda
superordo = Heterobranchia
ordo = Opisthobranchia
subordo = Anaspidea
superfamilia = Aplysioidea
familia = Aplysiidae
genus = "Stylocheilus"
genus_authority = Gould, 1852
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text.

"Stylocheilus" (Gould, 1852) is a genus of sea slugs, specifically Sea hares, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks in the family Aplysiidae.

According to some authors this genus belongs in the family Dolabriferidae.

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

pecies in the genus "Stylocheilus"

*"Stylocheilus longicauda" Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 : Blue-ring Sea Hare, Lemon Sea Hare (used to be called "Stylocheilus citrina")
**Distribution : circumtropical, Indo-West Pacific.
**Color : bright yellow or green with bluish eyespots, no lines.
**Description : This is one of the most specialized sea hares; elongate body with a long "tail" (as stated by its name "longicauda"), adapted for living on floating seaweed; feeds on Mermaid's hair, blue-green algae of species "Lynghya majuscula"; at times, they are abundant, with several thousands crawling in the sand, traveling in chains ("snail trail") up to 10 m long
*"Stylocheilus striatus" Quoy & Gaimard, 1832
**Distribution : circumtropical; intertidal, occurs up to 30 m depth
**Length : 65 mm
**Color : brownish, with blue spots; lined species, with dark longitudinal lines (as stated by its name "striatus") and small eyespots, providing excellent camouflage.
**Description : Feeds on blue-green algae; gives off a purple ink when disturbed.

External links

* [http://www.geocities.co.jp/NatureLand-Sky/8447/021112M.htm Image of the Blue-ring Sea Hare]
* [http://www.turtles.org/special/snailtrail1990813pm.jpg'Snail trail' of the Blue-ring Sea Hare]
* [http://www.philippine-sea-slugs.com/ANASPIDEA/Stylocheilus_striatus_01.htm Image of "Stylocheilus striatus"]