When you think of slugs, the first word that comes to mind isn’t usually adorable. But there’s a species of sea slug, with beady eyes and flamboyant leafy feelers, that looks exactly like an underwater cartoon sheep!
The Leaf Sheep (Costasiella kuroshimae)
The Costasiella kuroshimae, also known as the ‘leaf sheep’, can be found near Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It grows up to five millimetres in length and feeds on algae.
When they consume green algae, it is only partially digested in their body. The plastid, a major double-membrane organelle, is left intact. It is here that photosynthesis can temporarily continue and the leaf sheep benefits by receiving the products of photosynthesis. The process is known as kleptoplasty and means that these fascinating creatures are partially ‘solar-powered’. Take a look:
The Leaf Sheep (Costasiella kuroshimae)
The Costasiella kuroshimae, also known as the ‘leaf sheep’, can be found near Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It grows up to five millimetres in length and feeds on algae.
When they consume green algae, it is only partially digested in their body. The plastid, a major double-membrane organelle, is left intact. It is here that photosynthesis can temporarily continue and the leaf sheep benefits by receiving the products of photosynthesis. The process is known as kleptoplasty and means that these fascinating creatures are partially ‘solar-powered’. Take a look:
