Spotted sea hare (Aplysia punctata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Aplysia punctata
- Common name
- Spotted sea hare
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Aplysiidae
- Genus
- Aplysia
- Size
- 15–30 cm
- Depth
- 0–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- seagrass, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Aplysia punctata reaches 30 cm. Large Mediterranean and temperate East Atlantic opisthobranch mollusk with fleshy brown-purple to black body with scattered small white and orange spots (hence punctata), cephalic tentacles shaped like hare ears (hence sea hare). Capable of releasing purple-crimson ink cloud as defense when stressed. Lives from 0 to 30 m on seagrass, algae-covered rocky bottoms. Strict herbivore grazing algae. Reproduction by remarkable copulatory chains. Discreet but photogenic macro photo subject.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Spotted sea hare?
- Spotted sea hare (Aplysia punctata) reaches 15–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Spotted sea hare?
- Spotted sea hare is found between 0–30 m deep.
- Is the Spotted sea hare dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Spotted sea hare?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Spotted sea hare?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Aplysia
Other species in the family Aplysiidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 138758)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5191252)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia