Sea hareDolabella auricularia

Category
  • Seagrass
Tags
  • Sea hare
  • Fauna
  • seagrass

Description

Dolabella auricularia is a marine gastropod with an internal calcareous shell. Common names include Blunt-end sea hare, Sea hare wedge, Sea hare hatch and Shoulder-blade sea cat. Its body is wedge shaped with a small head and a large, flattened posterior disk that makes it look like its hind end has been chopped off[1]. The colour of D. auricularia varies from dark brown to mottled brown, and whitish green. It has a small grove like inhalant siphon in its midline. It can reach a maximum length of 50cm. Individuals are hermaphrodites[2].

 

[1] Gosliner T.M, Behrens D.W and Williams G.C. ‘Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific: animal life from Africa to Hawaii exclusive of the vertebrates’ Sea Challengers 1996.

[2] ‘Dolabella Auricularia, Shoulderblade Sea Cat’.

Habitat and ecology

This species is present across the Indo-Pacific region. Recorded depth range is between 2 and 71m. It is found in rocky areas, in tide pools and various other subtidal areas. It is also common in seaweeds, seagrass, lagoons and sheltered bays. It is nocturnal, hiding in crevices and below rocks during the day. It feeds on a variety of brown green and red macroalgae. Sea hares often mate in chains of three individuals and its eggs glued together have a form of filament.[1]

 

Conservation and management

The conservation status of this species has not been evaluated yet.

 

 

[1] ‘Dolabella Auricularia: Main Page’.

Did you know?

When this sea hare is disturbed, it ejects a purple dye.

This species has antimicrobial properties[1].

 

[1] ‘A Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from the Sea Hare Dolabella Auricularia. - PubMed - NCBI’.

Other Ecosystems