Some secrete toxic chemicals like sulfuric acid. Others fire stinging cells (nematocysts) which they acquire from other animals which they have eaten, such as hydroids and anemones. These pass through the digestive system and migrate into their cerata (the finger-like projections along their back).
If I read this right, it's like swallowing a scorpion and (eventually) having venomous finger spikes. Why do we chordates miss out on the cool stuff? posted by kurumi at 5:41 PM on May 31, 2002
You're welcome, rio, thanks for saying it. And for the horny masses, here's a scanning electron micrograph of a gold-covered nudi penis.
The descriptions are great, but does anyone else wonder if all these underwater photographers are really finding new species when they name these things? I mean, I know "species" can be an iffy concept, but nudi-lovers do seem awful quick to name a new species in honor of their buddy. Minor quibble, I know.
I love week #132. And 137, 186, 163, 178, 191 and (my current favorite) goofy li'l 121. Why are we looking for alien life on other planets when we have such amazing creatures here that we've barely begun to understand?
And for the horny masses, here's a scanning electron micrograph of a gold-covered nudi penis
...submitted by DONG lin, no less. posted by pxe2000 at 8:59 PM on May 31, 2002
None of the aliens in "Star Wars" have ever looked so cool, that's for sure. Gorgeous photos. posted by diddlegnome at 9:12 PM on May 31, 2002
Wonderful. I (nearly) forgive, now, the slugs for eating my hostas.
Speaking of which, it does seem that all these beautiful specimens are sea slugs - what really is the difference between them and the nasty bastards in my garden (if any)? posted by yhbc at 9:22 PM on May 31, 2002
what really is the difference between them and the nasty bastards in my garden (if any)?
They're both molluscs in the class Gastrapoda. And try a shallow dish of beer to kill them in your garden; slug alcoholism saved my outdoor cacti's new growth from being eaten to pieces last spring. 2 nights and 8 bloated dead slugs later, they were gone and haven't come back.
Also, I just found a very cool Sea Slug Forum that's designed to "generate further interest in these amazing animals." Check out the "solar-powered" slugs that are able to incorporate working chloroplasts from algal food into their bodies. Wow. I'm starting to wonder how many useful things us monkeys could learn from sea slugs if we took time to look. Where are the drug companies when you need them? posted by mediareport at 10:12 PM on May 31, 2002
and here I thought it was going to be about Nudie [entirely work safe] who made Elvis' famous rhinestone costumes. posted by m@ at 9:49 AM on June 1, 2002
Wow! Those are tre cool! Thanks for the links. As to the comments; ye gods I love you guys...you're always good for a giggle. :) posted by dejah420 at 11:57 AM on June 1, 2002
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Dermatobranchus ornatus
Chromodoris roboi
Jorunna funebris
Chromodoris bullocki
Tambja eliora
posted by mediareport at 1:38 PM on May 31, 2002