Though barely more an inch long, the Leaf Gilled Sea Slug (cyerce nigricans) is the icon of the Great Barrier Reef. Supersized on posters and brochures, it represents the undersea curiosities that fill the seas from Madagascar to Okinowa. The brilliant leaf-like projections that cover the slug and aid in motion and respiration also come to its defense when the predator paparazzi show up. The toxic leaves drop off and wriggle on their own, distracting the enemy while the slug escapes to the turtle grass to regrow it’s armor. There’s no denying the star quality of the beautiful Leaf Gilled Sea Slug. But, we do suggest a name change might get it more callbacks.
