Chemical Defences in nudibranchs

April 30, 2000
From: Victor Bonito

Dear Bill,

I am interested in learning more about the aposematic colouration of flatworms and nudibranchs. While a lot of books refer to nudibranchs as being aposematic and sequestering chemicals from their food sources, I can not find any literature to support this. In the cases of flat worms mimicking nudibranchs, is there literature to support the fact that the nudibranchs
are in fact chemically defended (other than L. Newman's work with flatworms)? I am especially interested in Phyllidids, and any feeding assays that have been done with chemicals extracted from them.

Thank for your direction in finding some publications in this area.
Sincerely,

Victor Bonito
University of Guam

staghorncoral@hotmail.com

Bonito, V., 2000 (Apr 30) Chemical Defences in nudibranchs. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2336

Dear Victor,
There is certainly a lot of published evidence to show that some groups of nudibranchs retain chemicals, from their food, for their own defence.

I have compiled a page of •references to chemicals in Phyllidiidae for you. It also includes two references to two major reviews which have excellent bibliographies.

If you use the SEARCH button you will find a lot of references to defence and mimicry in the Forum. In particular have a look at the pages on:
•Opisthobranch defence mechanisms
•Mimicry
•Defensive mantle glands.

There are references associated with those pages as well. Also look at the messages on each page because they also contain comments and references which may be worth following up.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Apr 30). Comment on Chemical Defences in nudibranchs by Victor Bonito. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2336

Factsheet

Defensive glands

Related messages

  1. Re: Predation by Humans?
    From: Peter H. van Bragt, September 28, 2001
  2. Re: Predation by Humans?
    From: Scott Johnson, September 17, 2001
  3. Predation by Humans?
    From: Peter H. van Bragt, September 16, 2001
  4. Natural products from Sea Slugs
    From: Arnaud Parenty, March 2, 2001
  5. Sea Slugs producing sulfuric acid
    From: Foisy, May 2, 2000
  6. Chemical defence & reproductive strategies
    From: Sarah Priestley, November 15, 1999
  7. Do chromodorid mantle glands have a pore?
    From: Bill Rudman, November 9, 1999
  8. Re: Defensive allomones in nudibranchs
    From: Wayne Ellis, June 7, 1999
  9. Aposematism - experimental evidence?
    From: Russell Wyeth, June 7, 1999
  10. Defensive allomones in nudibranchs
    From: Dan Sanchez, June 6, 1999
  11. Defensive Glands in Hypselodoris
    From: Austin, May 21, 1999
  12. Re: Defensive Glands in Hypselodoris
    From: Bill Rudman, May 21, 1999
  13. defensive secretions
    From: Patrick Krug, Ph.D., September 9, 1998
  14. Mucus as a means of defense
    From: Andrea Stephenson, March 28, 1998

Show factsheet and all related messages