Scientists Find New Species of Sea Slug
Posted on: Saturday, 27 May 2006, 00:00 CDT
Florida scientists have decided that a sea slug living in the Keys differs enough from its cousins elsewhere in the Caribbean to be considered a new species.
The lettuce sea slug in the Keys had been thought to be Elysia crispata, a species identified in 1863. But scientists from the University of South Florida have found significant differences in its morphology and DNA.
The new species has been named Elysia clarki, in honor of the late Kerry B. Clark, biologist and professor at the Florida Institute of Technology.
The differences between E. crispata and E. clarki exist at every level, said Skip Pierce, chairman of the Department of Biology at the University of South Florida. There are morphological, developmental, feeding and molecular differences, and very important habitat differences.
Scientists say E. clarki may be unique to the Keys. The sea slugs live in mooring canals and borrow pits, in very shallow water.
Source: United Press International
Related Articles
- Americans And Scientists Differ On Key Issues
- Animals That Seem Identical Could Be Completely Different Species
- Duct Tape Key to Survival? -- Scientists' Terrorism Study Brings Fame - and Jokes
- New Species of Sea Anemone is Discovered
- Action Needed to Protect Deep-sea Fish: Scientists
- Bird Flu Virulence Key Concern for Scientists
- Hurricane Wilma hammers Florida mainland and Keys
- Exploring the avian biodiversity of Africa with different species concepts
- Md. Team Finds Species of Sea Microbes
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds