Juvenile Californian Sea Hare & friends

December 12, 2006
From: Kevin Lee

Hi Doc,

Just wanted to share these images of a juvenile California Sea Hare (Aplysia californica ). The coloration is so different from the adult, at first, I thought perhaps I'd bumped into an unknown (to me) species. However, Dave Behrens kindly confirmed it is indeed the Cal Sea Hare.

Locality: La Jolla Shores Canyon, Main Wall, circa 60 fsw, California, USA, Eastern Pacific, 28 OCT 2006, Sandy canyon wall, with kelp. Length: perhaps 2 cm. Photographer: Kevin Lee.

Then, to my pleasant surprise, when viewing the fotos in the comfort of my home, I was astonished to find what appears to be two other branchs on the kelp blade i.e. a Lion's Melibe (Melibe leonina ) and a tiny, nearly microscopic critter. The image resolution is so poor, ID is probably mission impossible. It was plenty dark and cold, so it's a wonder I even sighted the Hare...

Warm wishes for the Holiday Season!

K:-)

diverkevin@gmail.com

Kevin Lee, 2006 (Dec 12) Juvenile Californian Sea Hare & friends. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/18966

Dear Kevin,
Thanks for the best wishes and thanks for the photos. I wouldn't be surprised if the very little animal you photographed is also a juvenile sea hare. The flaps on each side of the body seem to be the beginnings of its parapodia. Of course I can't see its head so I could be quite wrong.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Dec 12). Comment on Juvenile Californian Sea Hare & friends by Kevin Lee. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/18966

Factsheet

Aplysia californica

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