Stylocheilus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 Stylocheilus longicauda
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Secure
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Stylocheilus (Gould, 1852) is a genus of sea slugs, specifically Sea hares, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks in the family Aplysiidae.
According to some authors this genus belongs in the family Dolabriferidae.
A more general description can be found on the page of the superfamily Aplysioidea.
[edit] Species in the genus Stylocheilus
- Stylocheilus longicauda Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 : Blue-ring Sea Hare, Lemon Sea Hare (used to be called Stylocheilus citrina)
- Distribution : circumtropical, Indo-West Pacific.
- Color : bright yellow or green with bluish eyespots, no lines.
- Description : This is one of the most specialized sea hares; elongate body with a long "tail" (as stated by its name longicauda), adapted for living on floating seaweed; feeds on Mermaid's hair, blue-green algae of species Lynghya majuscula; at times, they are abundant, with several thousands crawling in the sand, traveling in chains ("snail trail") up to 10 m long
- Stylocheilus striatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1832
- Distribution : circumtropical; intertidal, occurs up to 30 m depth
- Length : 65 mm
- Color : brownish, with blue spots; lined species, with dark longitudinal lines (as stated by its name striatus) and small eyespots, providing excellent camouflage.
- Description : Feeds on blue-green algae; gives off a purple ink when disturbed.
