Dolabella auricularia from Sydney Harbour

August 11, 2004
From: Greg Braun


Please tell me what this is

Photographed in Middle Harbour, Sydney. Mid summer 04. Three 'slugs'. A sandy beach at water edge. One individual 3 meters above water line on sand

Slug like, 150 mm long x 90 mm across.
One individual discharged a plume of magenta into the water.
Thanks
Greg Braun

gregb@mrbamboo.com.au

Braun, G., 2004 (Aug 11) Dolabella auricularia from Sydney Harbour. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12626

Dear Greg,
This is a Sea Hare called Dolabella auricularia. Most Sea Hares produce a red or purplish ink like this.

The two holes you can see in the lower photo are the inhalent and exhalent siphons which are used to move water in and out of the mantle cavity which contains, among other things, the gill which is used for breathing.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2004 (Aug 11). Comment on Dolabella auricularia from Sydney Harbour by Greg Braun. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12626

Factsheet

Dolabella auricularia

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