Aplysia dactylomela from Cyprus

October 17, 2005
From: Samantha Cooke

hello
I'm not a big fan of things under the sea but I was keen to identify a squidgy thing I found in a beach in akrotiri cyprus. I think your site has helped me to do that although my slug is a different colour to yours it look very similar. Is it Aplysia dactylomela. I wouldn't mind learning more about it if you have some info.

Locality: Akrotiri, Cyprus. Mediterranean. on beach. Length: approx 8 inches. 30 september 05. sandy, crystal clear water. Photographer: Samantha Cooke

Thank you
Samantha Cooke

leicstiger@hotmail.com

Cooke, S., 2005 (Oct 17) Aplysia dactylomela from Cyprus. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15021

Dear Sammy,
This is indeed Aplysia dactylomela. As you will see from other messages on the Forum [see message #14305] we now have a number of records of this species from Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, suggesting this is a recent arrival in the Mediterranean. As it is found in both the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific, I can't really say whether it is a Lessepsian migrant through the Suez Canal or a late arrival from the Atlantic.

For more information on this species, have a look at the other messages attached to the bottom of the Fact Sheet. There is a lot of information spread through them. For more general information on Sea Hares see the link to Sea Hares in the General Topics List. As you will see there, producing purple ink is characteristic of many Sea Hares.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Oct 17). Comment on Aplysia dactylomela from Cyprus by Samantha Cooke. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15021

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