Can nudibranchs breath air?

September 2, 2000
From: Valda Fraser

Dear Bill
Chromodoris annulata occurs along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal as well as in the colder waters off the Transkei. I was surprised to find a specimen stranded on some sand between scattered rocks at low tide. Please tell me how it, and a nearby Chromodoris conchyliata could live breathing air?

Locality: Transkei, SOUTH AFRICA - intertidal zone
Size: 45mm
Date: July 2000

Regards
Valda Fraser

valdafraser@mweb.co.za

Fraser, V., 2000 (Sep 2) Can nudibranchs breath air?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2951

Dear Valda,
Firstly, Chromodoris annulata is indeed a beautiful animal. Concerning breathing air. While terrestrial vertebrates die very quickly of immersed in water, and fish die very quickly when taken out of water, the metabolism of lowly invertebrates gives them a bit more leeway, especially when removed from water. In the case of nudibranchs with a thin skin, which is also used for gas exchange, they can remain alive for some hours as long as they remain damp. If the two chromodorids you mention were stranded in the shade, there is a chance they would survive until the tide returned, but it would certainly be a case of living dangerously.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Sep 2). Comment on Can nudibranchs breath air? by Valda Fraser. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2951

Factsheet

Chromodoris annulata

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