Elysia ornata
Encyclopedia
Elysia ornata is a species
of sea slug
, a marine
gastropod mollusk. This sea slug superficially resembles a nudibranch
, yet it does not belong to that suborder of gastropods. Instead it is a member of the closely related clade Sacoglossa
, the "sap-sucking" sea slugs.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of sea slug
Slug
Slug is a common name that is normally applied to any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell...
, a marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
gastropod mollusk. This sea slug superficially resembles a nudibranch
Nudibranch
A nudibranch is a member of what is now a taxonomic clade, and what was previously a suborder, of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks which shed their shell after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms...
, yet it does not belong to that suborder of gastropods. Instead it is a member of the closely related clade Sacoglossa
Sacoglossa
Sacoglossa, commonly known as the sacoglossans or the "sap-sucking sea slugs", are a clade of small sea slugs and sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks that belong to the clade Heterobranchia...
, the "sap-sucking" sea slugs.