Sea slug thieves: A nudibranch defensive strategy

摘要

Nudibranchs, a shell-less clade of gastropods, have evolved bright, striking color patterns over millions of years. These particular slugs are especially popular with divers and underwater photographers due to their interesting color patterns. These beautiful color patterns are useful for more than just an eye-catching photo (Figure 1). Bright colors often deter predators, warning them that these nudibranchs are armed with toxins and other defenses that could cause harm. This method of alerting potential predators using bright colors is called aposematism (Rosenberg, 1989; Tullrot, 1994). Within Nudibranchia, several types of defensive strategies exist to counterbalance the loss of the protective shell. One apparent defense mechanism is found in a group of nudibranchs called aeolids, that steal the defensive abilities of the animals they feed on - jellyfish, corals and others that sting (Figure 2; Greenwood, 2009).