Author: Undescribed

Order: Anaspidea  Family: Aplysiidae

Maximum Size: 25 mm

Sightings: Sunshine Coast

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Aplysia sp. 01 Undescribed

The specimen in the above image is possibly the Aplysia sp., detected by molecular analysis, as being cryptic with Aplysia concava (Nimbs, 2021)

Unfortunately, in the image, the left parapodium is covering the characteristically small, mantle foramen, visible underneath and outlined in black, such that it is not possible to ascertain if the foramen rim is raised. The small mantle foramen and a raised rim thereto are not features of Aplysia concava. Another feature this specimen, pictured above, does share with the putative Aplysia sp. is the overall covering of fine white spots. These though, as yet, are not confirmed as being diagnostic.

David A. Mullins – April 2021

References:
– Nimbs, M. J. & Wilson, N. G. (2021). Saved by the Shell: Molecular Analysis Detects the Cryptic Sea Hare, Aplysia concava G. B. Sowerby I, 1833 (Mollusca: Heterobranchia: Aplysiidae), from Oceania, with a Redescription. Taxonomy 2021, 1, 48-59.

– Nimbs, M. J. (2021). Sea slug research – Identifying dwarf sea hares from eastern Australia and New Zealand (ex. Aplysia parvula). Available online at https://mattnimbs.wixsite.com/matt-j-nimbs/identify-sea-hares  (Accessed on 13 April 2021).