{"id":606,"date":"2012-10-21T18:38:27","date_gmt":"2012-10-21T18:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scuba.cr\/?p=606"},"modified":"2016-11-03T17:26:48","modified_gmt":"2016-11-03T17:26:48","slug":"nudibranchs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scuba.cr\/?p=606","title":{"rendered":"Nudibranchs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Nudibranch<\/a>A widespread number of nudibranchs are found in the seas worldwide. They are a member of Nudiabranchia which is a group of marine gastropod mollusks. There are more than 3,000 species of nudibranchs, several of which are seen in Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. These are soft bodied mollusks well-known for their remarkably vibrant colors and unusual body forms. Nudibranch are bilaterally symmetrical, internally as well as externally which results due to secondary detorsion. Some of them bear a gut and a radula. Their eyes are minute (a quarter of millimetre) which are embedded in the body and are capable of differentiating between dark and light. Some nudibranch have toxic appendages that help escape the predators. They have tentacles located on the head that are noted for their sensitivity to touch, taste and odours. The adult form of nudibranch sheds it shell and become soft bodied. <\/p>\n

They breathe through naked gills, hence the name nudibranch (Nudi= Naked, branch = gills). The size of adult Nudibranch varies, from 20 to 600 millimetres.\u00a0Nudibranchs are hermaphroditic, but cannot fertilize between themselves and have to lay eggs instead. They are carnivores feeding on sponges, hydrioids, sea slugs and their eggs, bryozoans, tunicates, barnacles, anemones and even other nudibranchs.\u00a0One of the extraordinary feature of nudibranchs is camouflage that helps them in defending themselves from the predators. Often the aposematic coloration, a warning signal, fools the predators in thinking that the nudibranchs are poisonous and unpleasant.\u00a0There are two main kinds of Nudibranchs, droids and aeolids, both of which are found in Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Droids have branchial gills whereas aeolids have cephalic tentacles.\u00a0They dwell in almost all depth of the sea water but their numbers are increased in warm and shallow waters.<\/p>\n

Nudibranchs In Pacific Coast of Costa Rica<\/h3>\n

The Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is famous for its abundant sea-life. Sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays are quite striking but the smaller, exotic creatures are no less. In the warmer and shallow waters of the Pacific coast, about 12 different species of brightly\u00a0coloured nudibranchs are\u00a0found.<\/p>\n

\"Nudibranch<\/a>List of Nudibranch Species:<\/strong><\/p>\n