Nudibranch in Fuerteventura

Nudibranch or Sea Slugs in Fuerteventura

An Article by Hannah Mackay with The Voice Fuerteventura

There are over 3,000 species of Nudibranch found in the waters around the world and new species are always being discovered. The main species found here in the Canary Island is the Hypselodoris. This particular species is characterised by its blue body and yellow markings. 

COLOURFUL CREATURES 

Nudibranchs are a group of sea slugs that come in a variety of colours. The name comes from the Latin word ‘nudus’ meaning naked and the Greek word ‘brankhia’ meaning gills. Nudibranchs breathe through their skin or their secondary gills which are found on their backs. They can be a few millimetres in length up to 12 inches long. They have very poor vision and use their Rhinophores to sense their world. These are located on their heads and act as scent receptors, allowing nudibranch to smell their food or other nudibranchsin the vicinity. They have the ability to withdraw these rhinophores and hide them in a pocket in their skin if they sense danger, such as a hungry fish.  

EVOLUTION

Although they have a shell when in the larval stage, this disappears when they become and adult making them exposed to predators. Evolution has allowed them to develop some defence mechanisms including:Toxicity or acid secretion - either produced or ingested through their food and stored for a later use. Although they can be toxic to prey they are no threat to humans. Camouflage is another defence mechanism - used to blend into their surroundings.  

COMMUNICATION

They communicate through chemical signals and when in the larval stage they don’t metamorphose until they get a specific signal from a hormone.  

REPRODUCTION 

Like other snails they are hermaphrodites, having both male and female reproductive organs.  The eggs are laid in spiral formations and when they hatch, form free swimming larvae which eventually settles on the ocean floor as adults.  They also have a very short life span from a few weeks to a year.

Movement – is made by a muscle called the foot which is a flat broad muscle that leaves a slim while moving about on the ocean floor.