Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus is a species of gastropod mollusc in the genus Aplysia,[1] native to the Indo-Pacific region.[2] The common name for Aplysia argus is the White speckled sea hare.[2]

Aplysia argus
Aplysia argus in Réunion.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Clade: Euopisthobranchia
Clade: Anaspidea
Superfamily: Aplysioidea
Family: Aplysiidae
Genus: Aplysia
Species:
A. argus
Binomial name
Aplysia argus
(J.G.Cooper, 1863)

Description

This species has long been confused with Aplysia dactylomela (living in the Atlantic Ocean) because they are morphologically very similar, but genetic studies have shown that those found in the Indo-Pacific are indeed a distinct species.[3] Aplysia argus are very small creatures that grow up to 8 inches in length.[4]They are gray to brown with white specks and brown or black rings.[4]

Distribution & Habitat

Aplysia argus are species native to the Indo-Pacific region.[2] Areas such as the Hawaiian islands, French Frigate Shoals, Laysan, Midway and Kure.[5] They can be found in shallow pools of seawater surrounded by rocks ranging from three to six feet deep.[5] They are nocturnal creatures and during the day they hide underneath rocks. Most sea hares stay near their egg masses.[5]

References
  1. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Aplysia argus Rüppell & Leuckart, 1830". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  2. "White-speckled Sea Hare, Aplysia argus". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  3. Alexander, and Valdés (2013). The ring doesn’t mean a thing: Molecular data suggests a new taxonomy for two Pacific species of sea hares (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia, Aplysiidae). Pacific Science 67: 283–294.
  4. Hoover, John P. (1998). Hawai'i's sea creatures : a guide to Hawai'i's marine invertebrates. [Honolulu, Hawaii]: Mutual Pub. ISBN 1-56647-220-2. OCLC 41975146.
  5. "Aplysia argus: main page". seaslugsofhawaii.com. Retrieved 2023-02-27.



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