Elysia chlorotica A. A. Gould, 1870

Description

A small sacoglossan reaching about 60 mm in length. The body is flattened and bright green, mimicking its algal food, with small white and red spots scattered across the surface. The radular tooth is used to pierce the cell wall of the green alga Vaucheria litorea and suck out the contents.

Distribution

Originally described from salt-marsh habitats in Massachusetts, on the Gulf of Maine coast of the eastern USA. Subsequent records run along the eastern seaboard of North America from the Gulf of Maine south to Florida.

Etymology

The specific epithet chlorotica derives from the Greek chloros ("green"), referring to the bright green colour of the body.

Remarks

The species is the textbook example of long-term kleptoplasty: it retains functional chloroplasts from its algal prey in its own tissues for months, sustaining photosynthesis without the algal cells.

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References

• Elysia chlorotica, Gould A.A. (1870). Report on the Invertebrata of Massachusetts. 2nd edition, comprising the Mollusca. Edited by W.G. Binney. Boston: Wright and Potter. v + 524 pp., pls. 16-27.