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Solar-Powered Sea Slug Wins 'Invertebrate of the Year'
20 Aug
Summary
- The leaf sheep is a neon green slug that lives underwater and is solar-powered.
- It won the global Invertebrate of the Year competition after reader appreciation.
- This unique slug harvests photosynthetic material from algae for energy.
A remarkable underwater slug, known as the leaf sheep, has been crowned the winner of the Invertebrate of the Year competition. This vibrant, neon green creature possesses the astonishing ability to generate its own energy by harvesting photosynthetic material from the algae it consumes, effectively acting as a living solar panel.
The leaf sheep, scientifically named Costasiella kuroshimae, captured global attention and support in a closely contested ballot. It beat out strong competition, including the world's largest bumblebee and the ancient horseshoe crab, both of which are also remarkable invertebrates.
This competition aims to celebrate the vast diversity and crucial ecological roles of invertebrates, which constitute the vast majority of animal life on Earth. The leaf sheep's win underscores the public's growing appreciation for these often-unseen organisms and their vital contributions to ecosystems.
