Elysia maoria

As a type of sea slug, Elysia maoria does not have a shell. Sacoglossans are also known as “sap sucking slugs” with a single row of teeth on the radula used for sucking algae.^{[citation needed]} They are small, green oval-like creatures using parapodia for movement. Parapodia are the muscular appendages used similarly to an undulating fin to swim, making wavy movements.^{[citation needed]} It is believed that Elysia maoria live a long planktonic stage after hatching, but not much is known about these creatures. This species reaches sexual maturity once it has surpassed 20mm in length. They typically develop to be 25-26mm long once fully grown.

Elysia maoria is an herbivore that utilizes its radula with a single row of teeth to latch onto algae and suck fluids out of it. They are then digested. Some Elysia species such as E. chlorotica are known to keep the chloroplasts to photosynthesize. It is not known if E. maoria engages in this process known as kleptoplasty as well.^[2]

E. maoria can be found in the New Zealand exclusive economic zone. It primarily lives in benthic, temperate zones along the shorelines of islands. It can be found making habitats and laying eggs on top of the pads of Codium, a common green alga.^{[citation needed]}