What is the plural of nudibranch?

What is the plural of nudibranch?

noun. nu·​di·​branch | \ ˈnü-də-ˌbraŋk , ˈnyü- \ plural nudibranchs.

What does nudibranch mean in English?

Nudibranchs (/ˈnjuːdɪbræŋk/) are a group of soft-bodied, marine gastropod molluscs which shed their shells after their larval stage. The word “nudibranch” comes from the Latin nudus “naked” and the Ancient Greek βράγχια (bránkhia) “gills”.

What is the pronunciation of nudibranch?

Zoh-zan-thell-ay.

What does the root word for nudibranch stand for?

C19: from nudi- + branche, from Latin branchia gills.

What is a nudibranch natural habitat?

They are found throughout the world’s oceans, but are most abundant in shallow, tropical waters. Their scientific name, Nudibranchia, means naked gills, and describes the feathery gills and horns that most wear on their backs.

Is nudibranch a sea slug?

Nudibranchs, commonly known as sea slugs, are a group of shell-less marine molluscs. Their name means ‘naked gill’, referring to the breathing apparatus on the outside of their soft bodies.

What’s the difference between a sea slug and a nudibranch?

A nudibranch is basically a sea slug, but there are some species of sea slugs that are not nudibranchs. They fall into two main groups, which are dorid nudibranchs and eolid nudibranchs. The main difference between these two groups is their appearance and which body parts they use to breathe.

What is the purpose of a nudibranch?

These are used for many purposes such as respiratory and attack/defense. Sometimes the digestive system extends to the cerata. Nudibranchs are highly stenofagous (in Greek meaning steno=narrow and fagous=eating) which means that they will only prey on 1-2 kinds of organisms.

What does a nudibranch do?

Some nudibranchs, like the Blue Dragon, create their own food by eating coral with algae. The nudibranch absorbs the algae’s chloroplasts (zooxanthellae) into the cerata, which acquire nutrients by photosynthesis using the sun to sustain the nudibranch for months.

What are the two types of nudibranchs?

Nudibranch (Limacia cockerelli). Two main types of nudibranchs are dorid nudibranchs and eolid nudibranchs. Dorid nudibranchs, like the Limacia cockerelli shown here, breathe through gills that are on their posterior (back) end. Eolid nudibranchs have cerata or finger-like appendages that cover their back.

Where do nudibranchs live in the sea floor?

Enchanting to both divers and scientists, colorful nudibranchs (pronounced “nooda-bronk” and including Nudibranchia, suborders Aeolidida and Doridacea) inhabit the sea floors of oceans all over the world. The unattractively named sea slug comes in a fantastic array of shapes and neon-bright colors that they themselves cannot see.

Why do nudibranchs have tentacles on their heads?

They also may have tentacles on their heads that help them smell, taste, and get around. A pair of tentacles called rhinophores on the nudibranch’s head have scent receptors that allow the nudibranch to smell its food or other nudibranchs.

What kind of gills do dorid nudibranchs have?

Dorid nudibranchs, like the Limacia cockerelli, breathe through gills that are on their posterior (back) end. Aeolid nudibranchs have cerata or finger-like appendages that cover their back. The cerata can be a variety of shapes—thread-like, club-shaped, clustered, or branched.