Definitions

1. noun

any of various marine gastropod mollusks of the genus Aplysia, having a large, flat foot and a pair of parapodia (or gills) on either side of the head and a siphon for drawing in water and expelling it

“The marine biologist studied the behavior of the aplysia in its natural habitat.”

2. noun

a type of sea hare, particularly Aplysia californica, used as a model organism in research

“The neuroscientist used aplysias to study the neural mechanisms of learning and memory.”

3. noun

a type of sea slug, particularly Aplysia dactylomela, that is also known as the Spanish shawl, used as a model organism in research

“The ecologist studied the population dynamics of the aplysia in a coral reef ecosystem.”