Nudibranchs
Nudibranchs, pronounced nood-a-branks, are sea slugs! They are found all around the world in ocean environments in many different shapes, sizes, and colours. They have been called "Pokemon of the sea" because of their cute, unique, and colourful appearance.
Sea Lemon
(Peltodoris nobilis)
Red-gilled nudibranch
(Himatina trophina)
Clown nudibranch
(Triopha modesta)
Monterey Sea Lemon(Doris montereyensis)
THAT NAME?
The word "nudibranch" comes from the latin word nudus greek word brankhia, which when put together means "naked gill". This refers to the external gills on their body.
CLASSIFICATION
Nudibranchs are classified in the phylum Mollusca and the class Gastropoda (slugs & snails). The word "Gastropod" translates from Greek to "stomach foot" which refers to how underwater and land slugs and snails move.
DIET
Sea slugs are carnivores! They feed on sponges, bryozoans, hydroids, colonial ascidians, and barnacles. Their body's colour is can be determined by the colour of their food, which thus helps them camouflage.
BIOLOGY
There are two types of nudibranchs: aeolids, which appear more compact, and dorids, which have cerata (jelly hair-like structures) all over their body. They can live up to 1 year old and reach 2 feet (0.6 metres) long.
DISTRIBUTION
There are 3,000 species of nudibranchs distributed in the ocean (salt) waters all around the world!
LIFECYCLE
Nudibranchs have both male and female reproductive organs. They produce egg sacs that look like ribbons that can includes millions of eggs. They live up to about 1 year old.
FUN FACTS
Some nudibranch species can use the stinging parts of their prey/food for their own personal protection against their predators!
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