Grey side-gilled slug

Pleurobranchaea maculata

Sea Life Native IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

This shell less spongey textured sea slug has a grey or creamish to brownish body with overlaid interconnected line paterns. The head is broad and shield like and features two erect antennae on top.

This species of slug appears to be an aggresive feeder with some research showing one animal ate 100 anemones in 3 and a half days.

There may be more than the one species across Australia that are all being named under this one name it seems more work needs to be conducted on this species

Size

Grows up to 10 cm

Habitat

Rocky shores, seagrass-beds and weedy sediment low on the shore and in the sublittoral zone and out to depths of 250m

Distribution

Australia and New Zealand

Gallery

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Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (2)

The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (July 28) Pleurobranchaea maculata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)

Quick Facts

Common name: Grey side-gilled slug
Scientific name: Pleurobranchaea maculata Quoy & Gaimard, 1832
Family: Pleurobranchaeidae
Category: Sea Life › Other
Origin: Native
Conservation: Not Evaluated

Australian Faunal Directory

Tags

gastropod marine

Information Website

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Header image: CC BY-SA 4.0 © wildroo

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.