Nick Volpe
Lined Chromodoris Nudibranch (Chromodoris lineolata)
A beautiful and small nudibranch that is found in the tropical oceans of Australia and Asia where they live and feed on specific species of sponges. As they feed on these sponges they absorb toxic chemicals which they store in mantle glands and use to repel potential predators.
A common misconception is that the eyes of these dorid nudibranchs are found on-top of the 'eye-stalk-like structures' at the front. Those organs are called rhinophores, which are covered in sensory receptors to help the animal locate its food source. The eyes sit deeper in the body behind these structures and can not see images, only distinguishing light from dark.
The bushy structure at the back of them is the cerata, which has multiple functions including acting as a gill.
Lined Chromodoris Nudibranch (Chromodoris lineolata)
A beautiful and small nudibranch that is found in the tropical oceans of Australia and Asia where they live and feed on specific species of sponges. As they feed on these sponges they absorb toxic chemicals which they store in mantle glands and use to repel potential predators.
A common misconception is that the eyes of these dorid nudibranchs are found on-top of the 'eye-stalk-like structures' at the front. Those organs are called rhinophores, which are covered in sensory receptors to help the animal locate its food source. The eyes sit deeper in the body behind these structures and can not see images, only distinguishing light from dark.
The bushy structure at the back of them is the cerata, which has multiple functions including acting as a gill.