Spicy meal: sea slug devouring a sea anemone.
A fast motion video (3h in 1m40s).
Species of the genus Spurilla (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterobranchia, Nudibranchia, Aeolidiidae) have been reported to feed on many sea anemones (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Actinaria) species, but not on other cnidarians, such as hydroids and corals. Like other nudibranchs, Spurilla spp. retain some of the venom-containing stinging organelles (nematocyts) of their prey, storing them (i.e. undischarged) in the tips of the finger-like projections present in their back (cerata). The nematocysts remain functional providing the nudibranchs with a powerful defense mechanism.
In the region of São Sebastião we have seen Spurilla feeding on two species of sea anemones: Bunodosoma caissarum (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Hexacorallia, Actiniaria, Actiniidae) and Anemonia sargassensis (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Hexacorallia, Actiniaria, Actiniidae).
More about Spurilla:
Carmona et al. 2014. Untangling the Spurilla neapolitana (Delle Chiaje, 1841) species complex: a review of the genus Spurilla Bergh, 1864 (Mollusca: Nudibranchia: Aeolidiidae). doi: 10.1111/zoj. 12098
Schlesinger et al. 2009. Laboratory culture of the aeolid nudibranch Spurilla neapolitana (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia): life history aspects. DOI 10.1007/s00227-009-1126-0
Spicy meal: sea slug devouring a sea anemone.
Теги
sea lifemarine biologyzoologysea creaturesbiodiversitywildlifenatureplanktonoceansciencewildfeeding behaviorpredationSpurilla neapolitanaSpurilla gabriellae VannucciSpurilla brazilianaAnenoneanênomanudibranchopistobranchiafast motionbrazilbiological diversityecologyinvertebratesglobe-trotting nudibranchEolisFlabellinaEolidinacnidacnidaecnidosactoxinsea slugnudibrânquiomoluscosea anemonecarnivoreunderwater