About Aplysia punctata (Cuvier, 1803)
The spotted sea hare, Aplysia punctata, is a species of sea slug that belongs to the sea hare family Aplysiidae. It can grow up to 20 cm (7.9 inches) in length. This species is native to the northeast Atlantic Ocean, with a distribution that extends from Greenland and Norway south to the Mediterranean Sea. A. punctata is a benthic gastropod that inhabits both littoral and sublittoral habitats, and can colonize shallow intertidal waters as well as deeper areas within its overall range. A. punctata has a lifespan of approximately one year. Spawning takes place from spring, starting in May when water temperatures warm, through around October. These sea hares are simultaneous hermaphrodites, and an individual's sexual role is determined by either its body mass or its specialization for egg-laying. They cannot self-fertilize, and their mating behavior may involve multiple individuals. During warmer months, most of their activity is focused on reproduction and feeding, and they spend little time crawling or remaining stationary. After eggs are laid, embryos develop inside them before hatching into a larval stage that becomes a temporary plankton member. Larvae rapidly transform into juveniles, and sexual maturity is typically reached between three and four months after birth.
