Polycera marplatensis facts for kids

The Polycera marplatensis is a fascinating type of sea slug. It's a special kind of nudibranch, which means "naked gills." These amazing creatures are molluscs that live in the ocean and don't have a shell to protect them. They are a type of gastropod, like snails, but they live in the sea. This particular sea slug belongs to the family Polyceridae.

Where Does the Sea Slug Live?

This sea slug was first discovered and described in Mar del Plata, a city in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Scientists officially named it in 1928. You can find Polycera marplatensis in the waters along the coast of South America, all the way from Brazil down to Patagonia.

What Does This Sea Slug Eat?

The Polycera marplatensis is quite common in the intertidal zone. This is the area of the seashore that is covered by water during high tide and exposed to the air during low tide. It's a busy place for many sea creatures! This sea slug loves to eat a type of tiny animal called a Bryozoan. Specifically, it feeds on Bugula species, which are small, colonial animals that often look like tiny plants growing on rocks or seaweed.

See Also

• In Spanish: Polycera marplatensis para niños