Akera bullata
Akera bullata, named the royal flush sea slug, is a species of sea snail, a marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusk in the family Akeridae, a family that is related to the sea hares. This species is the only European representative of the genus Akera.
Distribution
This species occurs from Norway to the Canaries, and also in the Mediterranean.Ecology
This is a herbivorous bottom dweller, which feeds on seagrasses in the genera Zostera and Posidonia.Description
The body of this sea hare can reach a maximum length of about 6 cm. Its coloration varies from gray to orange, often with white or dark specks. The shell is fragile, smooth, and can be either white or brown. This sea hare is not an agile swimmer. When disturbed, it uses its broad parapodia — fleshy protrusions held together in a funnel shape above the head — to paddle away.Synonyms
Acera bullata is an orthographic variant with considerable currency.The NLBIF lists a large number of synonyms in addition to the above; including: Bulla akera, Bulla norwegica, Bulla canaliculata, Bulla resiliens, Bulla fragilis, Akera flexilis, Bulla hanleyi, Eucampe donovani, Bulla elastica, Acera bullata var. nana, Acera elegans, Bulla farrani, Bulla globosa, Akera tenuis and Akera farrani.