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Hope’s elysia

Distribution : Mediterranean

The hope’s elysia crawls over algae-covered seabeds, taking the contents of algal cells. It can temporarily retain some chloroplasts, small structures able to use light. Research nevertheless shows that this capacity is limited and does not replace feeding.

Habitat of Hope’s elysia Habitat
Rocky habitat
Depth range of Hope’s elysia Depth
1-30 m
Biological group of Hope’s elysia Group
Ecological role of Hope’s elysia Role
Herbivore

📏 Size

1–2.5 cm

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

This slender slug measures ten to twenty-five millimetres. Two parapodia, folds on either side of the body, meet over the back to form a sheath. The head projects at the front with two rhinophores, rolled sensory organs detecting information in water.

The body is often blue to violet, but colours vary. Several lines border the folds, with the outer margin usually yellow or orange. Tiny black spots at the rhinophore bases are light-sensitive organs.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives on rocky surfaces carrying algae, from shallow water to several tens of metres. It often uses well-lit areas.

It progresses by crawling. The side folds should not automatically be treated as swimming fins: regular adult swimming has not been established for this species.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It opens algal cells with its radula, the toothed mouth structure, then sucks out the contents. Green algae such as Cladophora vagabunda and Derbesia tenuissima are reported food resources.

This feeding method characterises sacoglossans, the group it belongs to. It differs from sponge consumption by several superficially similar dorids.

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Hope’s elysia

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