Aplysia brasiliana from Florida

March 21, 2001
From: Debby

We found this slug like creature hooked to the rocky bank of a canal that runs between Marco Island and Naples Florida, USA. After the picture it was released back into the water. When it was released, it had "fin-like" wings that expanded as it swam away across the top of the water.

The area in which we found this creature was on a very rocky bank in salt water. It was very shallow water, but swam into deeper water when it was released. it floated the entire time without submerging. It was deep brown with black splotches, similiar to a leopard. it weighed about one pound and was about eight inches long. With wings expanded, it was about four inches wide. It had a large set of antenna and a smaller set located behind the first. it also had a large foot on the bottom.
Debby

judge_debby@hotmail.com

Debby, 2001 (Mar 21) Aplysia brasiliana from Florida. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4003

Dear Debby,
Your animal is a Sea Hare. Have a look at the Sea Hares page for some general information on these animals. Three species, Aplysia brasiliana, Aplysia morio, and Bursatella leachi seem to be quite common in Florida and sometimes occur in very large numbers. If you click on any of the underlined words you will be taken to a page on that topic. Have a look at each of these other pages and you will find messages from other peole who have found these animals in Florida.

I think your animal is a dark colour form of Aplysia brasiliana and Mike Schmale in a separate message has confirmed that for me. Another dark brown swimming species in Florida, A. morio is usually a uniform dark brown without the mottled colour pattern you describe and certainly without the clusters of whitish spots which are visible in your photo.
best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Mar 21). Comment on Aplysia brasiliana from Florida by Debby. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4003

Factsheet

Aplysia brasiliana

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