Elysia subornata

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iElysia subornata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gastropoda Order: Sacoglossa Family: Elysioidea Genus: Elysiidae Species: E. subornata
Binomial name
Elysia subornata (Verrill, 1901)

Elysia subornata is a species of sea slug found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It has been proposed that E. subornata could be used as a control agent against an invasive strain of the alga Caulerpa taxifolia in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. The high toxicity levels of C. taxifolia discourage most native herbivorous fauna from consuming this species. Elysia subornata, however, preferentially feeds on C. taxifolia, inquestering the secondary metabolite, Caulerpenyne, for its own defense.

Due to the difficulty of harvesting and the texture of it's flesh, the Elysia sobornata is generally unused in Escargot, and if improperly prepared can be highly toxic.

[edit] External link

• The Sea Slug Forum - Elysia subornata