Lamarck, 1809
Shell internal, enclosed by the mantle, but visible through a pallial foramen of variable size. Central areas of the shell calcified, but periphery flexible.
Body may be very large, up to 2000 g or more. The head is elongated and bears inrolled antero-lateral oral tentacles, and antero-dorsal rhinophoral tentacles.
The mantle is usually smooth, reduced, bearing the openings (sometimes numerous) of the opaline gland and the purple gland; mantle cavity greatly reduced; a small exhalant siphon for the respiratory stream is often detectable in life, but usually disappears on death.
The foot is expanded dorso-laterally to form substantial parapodial lobes, which are sometimes natatory.
Cuticular jaw-elements are present in the buccal area. The radula is large and broad; all the teeth are usually denticulate, except for the small extreme lateral teeth in each row. Penis very variable in shape, size, and armament.
Source: Thompson, 1988.
The following subtaxa of this family occur in the region:
Genus Aplysia
Aplysia punctata