Swimming slug photos from W. Africa

June 1, 2002
From: Bruce de Haas

Dear Dr Rudman
In my last mail to the forum I described a swimming slug I noticed in the Gambia river estuary. I have now managed to capture and photograph one of these slugs. This specimen is much smaller than the two I saw before. It also appears to be lighter in coloration. Please can you give any insight as to what species it may be? Can you tell me anything about it or related species.

The first two photos are dorsal views and the last is a lateral view (the foot of the slug being on the right hand side). When the
slug is not swimming it tends to contract its self so that it appears shorter.

Thank you for your help.
Sincerely
Bruce de Haas

brucedehaas@yahoo.com

de Haas, 2002 (Jun 1) Swimming slug photos from W. Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7134

Dear Bruce,
As they say 'a picture is worth more than a 1000 words'. This is a Sea Hare. If you go to the Sea Hares page you will find links, messages and more information about these animals. Quite a few species swim like this, including two species well known in the western Atlantic from Florida to Brazil - Aplysia brasiliana and Aplysia morio. One of these species, A. brasiliana, has been recorded from West Africa and if you look at the photos and messages on the Forum concerning that species you will see it looks very like your photos.

Another possibility is Aplysia fasciata which is found on Atlantic coast of Europe and the Mediterranean. It has also been recorded from West Africa. It is usually black or very dark brown but can have whitish blotches. It is also a swimmer.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jun 1). Comment on Swimming slug photos from W. Africa by Bruce de Haas. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7134

Factsheet

Aplysia brasiliana

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