Sea Slugs
The algal mats of Vaucheria on the ground among Spartina alterniflora stems provide a grazing ground for sea slugs. There are two species of sea slugs that are often found here:
Elysia - a green slug up to 2.5 cm long that feeds on algae and incorporates chloroplasts into body tissues - hence the green color. The chloroplasts continue to function for an extended period of time and supply the slug with carbohydrates and oxygen.
Alderia- a smaller slug that also eats algae but does not maintain chloroplasts for any significant length of time. Alderia also displays hypodermic insemination.
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