Graceful thuridilla (Thuridilla gracilis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Thuridilla gracilis
- Common name
- Graceful thuridilla
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Plakobranchidae
- Genus
- Thuridilla
- Size
- 2–4 cm
- Depth
- 5–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Thuridilla gracilis reaches 4 cm. Small sacoglossan (Plakobranchidae) Indo-Pacific with graceful elongated body (hence gracilis) red-brown to black-brown with distinctive thin white longitudinal lines, wavy blue-purple parapodia with white edges. Lives from 5 to 30 m on algae of coral reefs of central Indo-Pacific. Classic sap-sucker of sacoglossans. Sought-after macro photo subject for its white-red-blue contrasts.
Photo of Graceful thuridilla
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Graceful thuridilla?
- Graceful thuridilla (Thuridilla gracilis) reaches 2–4 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Graceful thuridilla?
- Graceful thuridilla is found between 5–30 m deep.
- Is the Graceful thuridilla dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Graceful thuridilla?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Graceful thuridilla?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Thuridilla
- Thuridilla lineolata - Lineolate thuridilla
- Thuridilla bayeri - Bayer's thuridilla
- Thuridilla hopei - Hope's thuridilla
Other species in the family Plakobranchidae
- Elysia ornata - Ornate elysia
- Elysia crispata - Lettuce sea slug
- Plakobranchus ocellatus - Ocellated plakobranchus
- Elysia timida - Solar-powered sea slug
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 494494)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5859310)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia