Can sea slugs pull in their rhinophores ?

October 19, 2002
From: Sabine Noack


Dear Bill.
The following pictures of a Hypselodoris infucata were taken within a few seconds. The slug was sitting on one of the black stones in shallow water close to the edge of a deeper area of black sand, there were 2 Hypselodoris nigrostriata 2 stones further away, and there was a bit of a surge moving it's gills.

On pictures A (13:39:52) and B (13:40:32) both rhinophores are clearly visible, on picture C (13:40:50) one is missing (possibly pulled in). I didn't touch the animal or manipulate the photos.

Location: Ulami North, Tulamben, East Bali, Indonesia.
Date: 28.9.2002 13:40
Depth: 4 m
Length: 4 cm

Sabine Noack

dive@snoack.de

Noack, S., 2002 (Oct 19) Can sea slugs pull in their rhinophores ?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8228

Dear Sabine,
The nudibranch rhinophore is a very important organ. It is the animal's smelling organ, enabling it to sense food chemicals in the water. Being able to retract it quickly is an important defence mechanism. In some nudibranchs, such as in Hypselodoris, the rhinophores have special pockets into which they can be withdrawn.
Thanks for these useful photos,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Oct 19). Comment on Can sea slugs pull in their rhinophores ? by Sabine Noack. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8228

Factsheet

Rhinophore in nudibranchs

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