Aplysia parvula
Guilding in Morch, 1863.

Order: ANASPIDEA
Superfamily: APLYSIOIDEA
Family: Aplysiidae

DISTRIBUTION

World-wide distribution in tropical to warm temperate waters.

PHOTO

Two colour forms from Parsley Bay, Vaucluse, Sydney Harbour, NSW, Australia. September 1982.
Showing the typical oral tentacles at the front of the head, on either side of the mouth and the smaller rhinophores just above the eyes. At the back you can see the large parapodial flaps which have a black edge. These parapodia enclose the mantle cavity in which the fragile plate-like shell is found. In the lower photo, part of a black ring can be seen. This outlines the hole (foramen) which leads to the cavity in which the shell is found. PHOTO: Bill Rudman.

Probably the smallest species of Aplysia, reaching a maximium length of about 6cm. Usually a mottled brown or green body, but sometimes a more uniform colour, it usually has a dark border to the parapodia, and the large mantle foramen. The tips of tentacles are usually darker than the background colour. There is a similarly sized and shaped species which is black with pale borders. See pictures on Aplysia cf. parvula page.

See discussion about whether black-lined animals from Europe are Aplysia punctata or Aplysia parvula.

See the General Topics List for more information on Sea Hares.

Reference:
• Morch, O.A.L. (1863). Contributions a la faune malacologique des Antilles danoises. Journal de Conchyliologie 11: 21-43.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (April 25) Aplysia parvula Guilding in Morch, 1863.. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/aplyparv

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