Photo Feature
Elysia Hirasei
At just half a centimetre in length, Elysia hirasei, a tiny sacoglossan (sap-sucking sea slug) is found in shallow tidepools, feeding exclusively on algae. It isolates and stores the algal chloroplasts (photosynthetic cells) and can switch from active feeding to photosynthesis to survive during times of food shortage. Hence, it is often referred to as a ‘solar-powered sea slug’.
Photo: Shaunak Modi