Skip to content

Nature

The Nudibranch Exposed - Correction

by JW Dowey 06 May 2013
The Nudibranch Exposed - Correction

The nudibranch, Flabellina bilas represents two of the genus' groups within the large Aeolidida group. It lives on reefs throughout the Indo-pacific area; Flabellina image; Credit: © Shutterstock

The shaggy mouse is an interesting enough sea slug to many of us poking about in rock pools. If you study 560 of the known Aeolidids (about half the total) though, they are quite closely related. The present authors make it about 7 families of the nudibranch gastropods.. And they comprise some of the most beautiful, if a little small, animals alive. They feed on anemones in many cases, "adopting" their dinoflagellate photosynthesisers to provide extra food and nicking their stinging cells to protect their bodies. Beauty and cunning in the same animal!

The "feet" of 194 specimens were investigated for genetic analysis, with 32 other records used from Genbank. Many old specimens have sadly never been seen again, thanks to the lack of care we give our coastal species. New species are still found on glamorous Indonesia reefs to give added impetus to the continuous search for accuracy and valid naming that scientists need.

The Aeolidiidae are all in the same grouping, with one common ancestor, according to Leila Carmona, Marta Pola, Terrence M. Gosliner, and Juan Lucas Cervera, publishing in the journal, PLoS ONE. They hail from the Universidad de Cádiz, the Universidad Autà ³noma de Madrid and the California Academy of Sciences. The exception to all of this, "monophyletic," group of nudibranchs is that Pleurolidia is left out of the party.

It feeds on hydroids, like that of the Facelinidae with which it is now associated. The Facelinid speciality is preying on the soft octocorals. The shaggy mouse, Aeolidia papillosa has been found to have 3 very close species, although some other animals in the genus need investigation to see how close they are to A. papillosa. Even at the well-known end of the nudibranchs, such surprises wait for the unwary marine zoologist. Clearing up in this case just seems to open up a can of slugs!


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping