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Related FAQs:
Nudibranchs,
Nudibranchs 2,
Nudibranch Identification,
Nudi ID 2,
Nudi ID 3,
Nudi ID 4, &
Nudibranch Behavior,
Nudibranch Compatibility, Nudibranch
Selection,
Nudibranch Systems,
Nudibranch Feeding, Nudibranch Disease,
Nudibranch Reproduction,
Berghia Nudibranchs,
Marine Snails 1,
Marine Snails 2,
Marine Snails 3, Marine Snails 4,
Sea Slugs, Seaslugs
2,
Snail ID 1,
Snail ID 2,
Snail ID 3,
Related Articles:
Dorid et al. Nudibranchs pt. 2,
Aeolid Nudibranchs pt. 3,
Sea Slugs,
Gastropods,
Mollusks,
Aiptasia/Glass Anemones
/The Conscientious
Marine Aquarist
Nudibranchs, The Naked-Gill Sea Slugs, pt. 5, Aeolids
To: Pt. 1,
Pt. 2,
Pt. 3, Pt. 4,
Pt. 6,
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By Bob Fenner |
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Suborder Aeolidacea, Aeolids:
('Eye-Oh-Lidz'), (sometimes Aeolids, Suborder Aeolidacea) have clusters of
elongated dorsal structures, the cerata
provide cryptic architecture, making them look like sea anemones when balled up.
The cerata serve several other functions; as a respiratory surface, in some
species each containing a glandular digestive lobe; and very importantly for
marine aquarists they may contain specialized cnidosomes. Take a good
look at that word. Sounds a lot like the stinging cells of Cnidarians
(Coelenterates) (anemones, corals, jellyfish...) for good reason. These
nudibranch species store undischarged nematocysts from feeding on the animals
that produce them. If these transplanted weapons on their backs weren't enough,
some aeolids pack poisonous glands, spiky bundles of calcareous spicules or
noxious mucus secretions as well. No wonder they're not often eaten.
In addition to the pair of rhinophores
that dorids possess, aeolids sport a pair of oral tentacles and
parapodial tentacles. Their body and foot are generally more elongated and
narrower, especially tapering posteriorly, than the dorids.
Family Facelinidae:
| Caloria indica (Bergh 1896). Likely the most common
member of the family in the Indo-Pacific. Orange head, body with white and
yellow markings. Cerata blue, yellow and red striped. Raja Ampat 08. |
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Bigger PIX: Phyllodesmium briareum, Sipidan
08.
The images in this
table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed"
images to go to the larger size. |
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| Phyllodesmium longicirrum Bergh 1905, the
Solar-Powered Nudibranch. Indonesia, New Guinea, East Australia. To 14 cm.
Soft Coral feeder that concentrates the acquired zooxanthellae for its own
use... food from their photosynthesis (detail). N. Sulawesi pix. |
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Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop
size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size. |
.JPG) |
Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large
(desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger
size. |
.JPG)
%20MD.JPG)
%20MD.JPG)
%20MD.JPG)
%20MD.JPG) |
Family Flabellinidae: Elongate bodies that taper
posteriorly to a point. Have clusters of cerata (appendages) along dorsal
surfaces where digestive diverticula ascend. Many ingest cnidarians as prey and
celebratedly store the unfired cnidocytes for their own defense on their upper
bodies. Oral tentacles are like handle-bar mustaches... long and sweeping up and
backward.
Genus Flabellina: Papillate rhinophores.
| Flabellina bilas Gosliner & Willan 1991. Indo-West
Pacific; Red Sea to Indonesia. N. Sulawesi (Lembeh Strait) pix. |
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| Bigger PIX: The images in
this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on
"framed" images to go to the larger size. |
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| Bigger PIX: The images in this table are linked to
large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the
larger size. |
%20MD.JPG) |
To: Pt. 1,
Pt. 2,
Pt. 3, Pt. 4,
Pt. 6,
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