Camouflage week continues!
You might recall that back on 14 July 2024, I introduced this amazing nudibranch, Corambe pacifica. I also mentioned that I needed to get a better photo. Well, here you go! And, lucky us...Eric was also able to record some beautiful video clips.
Things to look for:
- how well the color and patterning of the nudibranch match the bryozoan in the background
- two rhinophores (sense organs) near the leading edge (viewed from above, they look like a pair of white spots)
- a small notch along the back edge of the nudibranch
- when viewed up close, sometimes you can catch a glimpse of the branched gills inside the notch (more about the gills in a future post!)
Here's the video clip (below). [If you can't see the video player in the e-mail message, just click on the title of the post above to go directly to the NHBH web page.]
Stay tuned for more about Corambe pacifica.
And thanks to Eric for the great video!
Watching full-screen was awesome. Is the slug eating the bryozoan? It looks like it's mouth is working just behind the rhinophores (on the bottom of its transluscent body).
ReplyDeleteHi, John!
ReplyDeleteYes, Corambe is a bryozoan specialist. Sometimes they're described as 'suctorial' = basically sucking the zooids out of their little boxes. And because Corambe is transparent, you can see their buccal pump in action. (Note: you can also see their heart beating in the mid-dorsal area.)
:) Jackie