about nudibranchs
| Nudibranchs are small colourful creatures often with feathery gills on their backs although some have gills consisting of many leaflets on their undersides. They belong to the class of molluscs call gastropods, but lack shells. Rhinophores, antennae like protrusions on the head are sensitive to touch, chemicals and light, thus they are able to identify food and mates. They are carnivores often with very specific prey. They may eat the eggs of other molluscs, fish eggs, crustaceans or sponges. Their teeth are mounted on a radula and move forward. As the ones at the front are worn they are replaced at the rear. They may store toxins or nematocysts from their prey and use them to ward off predators. Many are nocturnal, some carry zooxanthellae which act as on board solar collectors. They are hermaphrodite but don’t self fertilise. They may be male and donate sperm at copulation, then become female and lay eggs. All species spawn once then die. Copulation may take from a few seconds to several hours. Eggs are laid in spiral ribbons. Young may be like their parents they may have a shelled juvenile phase. Nudibranchs are short lived, with life spans ranging from a few weeks to a year.
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Naming
notes:- Recommended nudibranch sites:- Nudibranchs of the Sunshine Coast |
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