W.A.N.T. Photography

Opalescent Nudibranchs

Hermissenda crassicornis

British Columbia, Canada, 2002

Nudibranchs, aka "sea slugs" are molluscs without the shells. They feed on a variety of hydroids and corals, and these particular nudibranchs are able to digest them without disturbing the stinging cells from the coral. Instead, these stinging cells (nematocysts) are transported into the tips of the numerous projections (cerata) on the backs of the slugs.

Image ID# 100899-13









		Opalescent Nudibranchs Hermissenda crassicornis British Columbia, Canada, 2002
		Nudibranchs, aka "sea slugs" are molluscs without the shells. They feed on a variety of hydroids and corals, and these particular nudibranchs are able to digest them without disturbing the stinging cells from the coral. Instead, these stinging cells (nematocysts) are transported into the tips of the numerous projections (cerata) on the backs of the slugs.
	Image ID# 100899-13


copyright © 2001-2011 Donald Brown/ W.A.N.T. Photography All rights reserved. No use, reuse, copying, reproduction allowed without express permission from copyright holders