Tiny leaf slugs keeping marine ecosystem healthy: Researchers

MARINE life in and around Karwar is healthy and rich with aquatic life, as per researchers at Department of Marine Biology, Karnataka University Dharwad (KUD).

- SUBHASH CHANDRA N S @Karwar

Surprisingly, this is due to tiny creatures like leaf slugs Majali and estuary of Kali, which are indicators of marine ecological health.

A tiny microscopic and macro organism found near Karwar has thrilled the marine biologists. The leaf slugs known as Elysia bantamweights have been identified for the first time in the state's west coast-regulate algal populations by feeding on them and maintaining ecological balance.