While perusing the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre Youtube channel, I came across a video on nudibranchs, a type of sea slug common in oceans across the world.
I’ve only seen a few nudibranchs in person before, as it’s quite rare for them to end up in the intertidal zone. I remember finding a feathery pink nudibranch washed ashore at Botanical Beach about ten years ago on family vacation – it was quite a special feeling to stumble upon it.
Nudibranchs are incredibly fascinating and beautiful. According to National Geographic, there are approximately 2000 different types of Nudibranchs that have been identified. Their unique colouring is a result of their diet, which is why so many varieties exist across different marine ecosystems (National Geographic, 2021). They also use these colours to deter predators or blend into their surroundings (Canadian Geographic, 2019). Nudibranchs also absorb the colouring of their prey, which gives them a keen advantage while hunting other small sea creatures (Canadian Geographic, 2019). Amazingly, some species have the ability to absorb toxins from their prey and reuse those toxins (Smithsonian).
Other than their obscure appearance, nudibranchs act as an indicator species for ocean health in regards to global warming (Canadian Geographic, 2019). It has also been speculated that they contain certain chemicals which may be useful in developing medications, but this has yet to be actually commonly used (Canadian Geographic, 2019).
Over reading week I may have the chance to explore some beaches where nudibranchs may be during low tide. I’m excited to try and document some of my other findings as well.
Canadian Geographic. “What is a nudibranch? Meet the “high fashion models” of the ocean depths”. 2019. https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/what-nudibranch-meet-high-fashion-models-ocean-depths
National Geographic. “Nudibranchs”. 2021. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/nudibranchs-1?loggedin=true
Smithsonian. “A collage of nudibranch colours”. https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/collage-nudibranch-colors
