Aplysia extraordinaria from New Zealand
June 14, 2005
From: Ross Armstrong
Dear Bill,
Diane and I found this seahare inside Rikoriko Cave at the Poor Knights.
Locality: Poor Knights Islands, Northland, New Zealand. South Pacific Ocean. Depth: 13 metres. Length: approx 40+ cm. 10 and 11 June 2005. Cave entrance. Photographer: Ross Armstrong
We assume it is Aplysia extraordinaria and definitely the largest specimen we have seen. We saw and photographed it on two consecutive days. Both times it did not swim, even when we moved it to a better place to photograph. Both pictures are with a fisheye lens which tends to distort the size of subjects close to the lens. However, Diane's hand gives a reasonable indication of the actual size.
Best regards
Ross Armstrong
ross@oceanwildlife.com
Armstrong, R.W., 2005 (Jun 14) Aplysia extraordinaria from New Zealand. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14048
Note added 17 April 2006: This is probably A. sagamiana
Dear Ross,
This is certainly one large Sea Hare! Because of its size I assume it is A. extraordinaria, which is probably the same as A. gigantea. It would be interesting to know if you have ever seen one of these animals swimming , or know someone reliable who has.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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