Upset Sea Hare in Sth Africa

April 26, 2006
From: Sakkie du Preez


Dear Bill

I don't know if this will be of interest to you but, my son found a couple of sea-hares ranging between 60-90mm long this weekend. From the attached photo's you can see that they weren't too happy about it (squirting reddish-purplish ink)

Locality: Hoby Beach, Port Elizabeth, Tidal pools, East Cape, South Africa, Western Indian Ocean, 16 April 2006, Intertidal rocks (Spring low tide). Length: 60 - 90 mm. Photographer: Sakkie du Preez.

Best Regards
Sakkie du Preez

sakkie.dupreez@comau.co.za

Du Preez, Sakkie, 2006 (Apr 26) Upset Sea Hare in Sth Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16419

Dear Sakkie,
This is Aplysia oculifera. If you look at the 'close up' I have included in the corner of your photo alongside you will see the little brown rings or 'eyes' which give this species its name. I am glad you included this photo because I would not have been able to identify it from the other two photos, one showing the typical 'inking' and the other showing how well camouflaged the often are in intertidal pools. Often you only know they are around when you look around and see purple patches in the water where you have stood on some of them.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Apr 26). Comment on Upset Sea Hare in Sth Africa by Sakkie du Preez. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16419

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Aplysia oculifera

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