Elysiidae

/ɛlɪˈsɪɪdeɪ/ noun

Definition

A family of small marine sea slugs (nudibranch mollusks) known for their ability to incorporate chloroplasts from algae into their own cells.

Etymology

From Elysia, the genus name, with the Latin family suffix '-idae' added to create the formal taxonomic family name following binomial nomenclature conventions.

Kelly Says

The Elysiidae family represents one of the few examples of 'kleptoplasty'—literally stealing organelles—which blurs the boundary between animal and plant kingdoms in a way that challenges how we classify life itself.

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