Fascinating image…the color caught my eye…but what is it in common terms?
Rusty, nudibranchs are a large group of sea slugs, similar to slugs you see in the garden but they live in the sea. “Nudibranchs” means naked gills and these organisms have external gills. The structure sticking up from the middle of the back of the nudibranch in the picture are the gills. The two things that look like horns (but they are actually very soft) are called rhinopores and are sense orgrans that let the nudibranch “taste” the environment. There are around 2,000 different species and they vary greatly in their appearance. Here’s just a small selection: Nudibranchs
Comments
Awesome capture never seen one of these before bravo.
Thanks, Julie. They only seem to appear from time to time.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
Great work Andrew. First one for the season.
Thanks, George. I’ll have to show you that reef some time.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
What a beautifully coloured little creature this is Andrew … great capture !
Thanks, Trish. I think I was very fortunate to stumble on it. I don’t get to see that species all that often.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
Nice one Andrew.
Thanks, Colin.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
Brilliant capture of this stunning little chap Andrew.
Cheers Jude
Thanks, Jude. I was pretty pleased to see it.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
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Thanks, Ray.
7 January 2012.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
Fascinating image…the color caught my eye…but what is it in common terms?
Rusty, nudibranchs are a large group of sea slugs, similar to slugs you see in the garden but they live in the sea. “Nudibranchs” means naked gills and these organisms have external gills. The structure sticking up from the middle of the back of the nudibranch in the picture are the gills. The two things that look like horns (but they are actually very soft) are called rhinopores and are sense orgrans that let the nudibranch “taste” the environment. There are around 2,000 different species and they vary greatly in their appearance. Here’s just a small selection: Nudibranchs
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
Thanks for the explanation and link to your other work… They are a fascinating life-form!
You’re welcome – they still amaze me after over 30 years of seeing them.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones