Sea Elves
Colorful
Sea slugs
Written by Lin Qiang
Sea slugs are commonly used to refer to a variety of marine gastropod mollusks. Their unique and diverse appearances and brilliant postures inject a strange color into the pure sea. And apart from the visual pleasures they bring us, their peculiar ways of reproduction and survival, and other secrets that we have not yet discovered, we can't help but look at this elf-like creature differently.
The twin multicolored sea slugs (scientific name: Chromodoris geminus) are named for their resemblance to the Cooney multicolored sea slugs (scientific name: Chromodoris kuniei).
In the face of some species in the ocean that are known for their strong toxicity, nudibranchs can also exhibit this defense mechanism similar to the "star-sucking Dafa" in martial arts novels. Among them, the most amazing use of this technique may not be the "Blue Dragon". "Blue Dragon", the Atlantic sea god sea slug (scientific name: Glaucus atlanticus). Although small, the Blue Dragon has an extraordinary skill - preying on the monk's hat jellyfish. Normally, blue dragons lie belly-up on the surface of the sea, using the surface tension of the seawater to move. They would slowly approach the underside of the monk's hat jellyfish and feed on the hanging tentacles. By absorbing and concentrating the stinging cells of the monk's cap jellyfish, the blue dragon became a more dangerous animal than the monk's cap jellyfish.
The Atlantic sea god sea slug (scientific name: Glaucus atlanticus), also known as the "Blue Dragon" or "Manatee", is a petite but gorgeous species with an unusual skill - preying on the monk's hat jellyfish.
Bizarre "self-cutting" reproduction
Scientists have found that there is an incredible breeding process for nudibranch sea slugs. This brightly colored sea slug will cut off its penis after mating, then re-grow it within 24 hours before it can mate again.
Many nudibranchs have the act of cutting off certain parts of the body, a process known as "self-cutting."
The gills with "self-cutting" behavior, known as "Goniobranchus reticulate," were collected from shallow coral reefs near The Island of Tsedi in Okinawa. The scientists examined the penises they discarded after mating and found that some sperm remained on the reverse barbs on the surface of the penises. Scientists speculate that when G. When reticulata removes the penis from the other person's body, it can remove the sperm of other similar species before, thereby increasing the probability of the other party using its own sperm.
The sea hare has a rounded body, two long horns of smell protruding from its head, like rabbit ears, and the scientific name of the species in the picture is "Aplysia punctata".
"Sea slugs" - sea hares
Sea hares are important members of sea slugs. Many people mistakenly think of them as sea hares when they see nudibranchs, but in reality, there is a clear difference between the two. Taxonomically , sea hares and nudibranchs belong to the same suborder Posterior gill of the gastropod order , the former belonging to the order Ambionosaurus and the latter to the order Nudibranchy. The word "sea hares" is derived from the Latin word "lepusmarinus" and has been around since ancient Roman times.
Anna Colorful Manatee (scientific name: Chromodoris annae).
Sea slugs that can "photosynthesize"
Some nudibranchs abandon their carnivorous habits and instead nibble on seaweed for a living. Interestingly, they steal the chlorophyll of seaweed and store it in the skin, giving it a cute bright green color. However, scientists point out that whether these nudibranchs can actually harness the energy generated by chloroplast photosynthesis remains to be further studied.
However, in a sea slug called Elysia chlorotica (scientific name: Elysia chlorotica), which belongs to the suborder Sacs, it achieves a true sense of "photosynthesis". The scientists found that within the cells of their branching digestive system, chloroplast-like particle structures appeared, and subsequent observations confirmed that these particles were derived from the chloroplasts of the coastal aerobic algae. Scientists have called these particular chloroplasts "kleptoplasty," indicating their origin. In light-based conditions, green-leaved sea cows can stay uneaten for up to 10 months – their lifespan is only about a year. Studies have confirmed that they can indeed use the photosynthetic products of "plastoid theft", which can be called a real "photosynthetic animal".
This article is excerpted from the May 2016 issue of Civilization
Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited
"Civilization" magazine Taobao store subscription
Open the Taobao app, copy the link and search to enter the store,
Subscribe to issues of Civilization Magazine today
https://shop177692594.taobao.com/search.htm?spm=a1z10.1-c.0.0.3a613a27JW5D4Z&search=y
Scan the QR code at the bottom right of the cover and follow the public account of Civilization Magazine: WENMINGZAZHI to learn more about the wonderful content.
Copyright Notice: The articles and pictures used in Civilization Magazine belong to the relevant right holders, due to objective reasons, such as improper use, please contact us at any time to deal with them in a timely manner. The reproduction of copyrighted works without the authorization of Civilization Magazine is strictly prohibited, and violators will be held legally responsible. Customer Service Email: [email protected] Tel: 010-67135553/67112221; 13146832364/15611146084