Costasiella kuroshimae

Article

• Tiny sea slug that steals chloroplasts from algae and incorporates them into its own cells
• Kleptoplasty allows it to photosynthesize like a plant
• Nicknamed ‘leaf sheep’ for its plant-like appearance

Discussion

• One commenter saw related kleptoplastic slugs in the wild at Key West mangroves
• Evolutionary puzzle raised: how does kleptoplasty evolve incrementally?
• ‘Real-life Bulbasaur’ is the consensus take
• Riff on solar-powered animals and whether humans could theoretically use chloroplasts

Discuss on HN