An intriguing parasite which invades the eyestalks of some snail species. It then alters the snails behaviour to seek out light, where the infected eyes appear as moving worms which attract, then are eaten by birds, where they mature and lay eggs in the birds rectum, being then passed out to begin the lifecycle again through the snail host.
:::
Meet the deeply fabulous Blue Glaucus, or Glaucus atlanticus... aka Blue Dragon, Sea Swallow, Blue Angel, Blue Sea Slug, Blue Ocean Slug and Lizard Nudibranch!
They are found in temperate and tropical ocean waters worldwide, specifically the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans!
Although they have been found east and south coasts of South Africa, in European waters, near Mozambique, and off Australia’s east coast.
It's beautiful colouring help them to camouflage with the ocean and sky!
Their body has a form of coloration known as countershading. The dorsal side (facing downward) is silvery grey, camouflaging it against the seas bright surface. While the ventral area (facing upwards) is dark and pale blue, and its head is covered with dark blue stripes, camouflaging against the seas blue colour!
They are voracious predators, their favoured prey is the Portuguese man o’ war. This looks like a jellyfish, but is actually a cnidarian and has numerous stinging cells (nematocysts) in its tentacles
Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis
Photo by Helene Hoffman
They transfer undigested nematocysts (stinging cells) from their prey to the cerata to use them to sting when hunting, or if it feels threatened!
Sexual reproduction could be problematic for a creature with a deadly sting....Fortunately, they have long, curved S-shape bends in their penises to avoid injury!
Above, A selection of velvet worm species from Australia. Original photographs by Jenny Norman, Noel Tait and Paul Sunnucks, from here
They live in moist, dark places in the tropics, as well as Australia and New Zealand
Above, Velvet worm (Peripatoides novaezealandiae), by Frupus
Velvet Worms have changed little in the last 500 million years with fossils of marine versions being found from Cambrian Era rocks (Burgess Shale, Canada 505 years ago, and the Chengjiang formation, China (520 million years ago))
They have hydrostatic skeletons, comprised of muscle layers and the body wall. It's body cavity is filled with fluid, which is pressurised and keeps the body rigid!
The papillae are composed of overlapping scales, which gives the Velvet Worm its velvety appearance!
Above, Skin of Euperipatoides rowelli, by Andras Keszei
Their feet are described as conical, baggy appendages. At the end of each foot is a hooked claw made of chitin, the Velvet Worms scientific name is Onychophora, meaning 'claw bearers'
Above, Onychophoran legs and claws, by alexselemba
They hunt at night for small invertebrates, and are ambush predators. They have a pair of glands on their heads near to the antennae which squirts out a sticky, quick hardening slime!
The slime ensnares their prey, allowing the Velvet Worm to inject a digestive saliva through its bite... this liquefies insides of its prey making it easier to eat! It will also eat any left over slime as it is energetically costly for it to produce
One species (Euperipatoides rowelli) is social! It lives in groups of up to 15 individuals, and has a strict social hierarchy with a dominant female!
Above, Velvet worms (Euperipatoides rowelli)-
Captive individuals. A couple babies can be seen in this image, by Jackson Nugent
After a kill the dominant female feeds first, then the other females, the males, and finally the young... the hierarchy is strictly enforced and maintained via aggression (biting, chasing, kicking and crawling over subordinates!)
All Velvet Worms reproduce sexually except Epiperipatus imthurni which reproduces via parthenogenesis! No males have ever been found... only females!
Above photo (Epiperipatus imthurni), by Geoff Gallice
Sexual reproduction can be quite varied amongst the species of Velvet Worms.... some males will deposit their spermatophores directly into the female's genital opening. Other use a special structures on the head, whilst some use spikes, spines, or pits to either hold their sperm or transfer it to the female!
Male Peripatopsis Velvet Worms will deposit their spermatophore on random areas of the females body. The sperm causes a small, localised breakdown of her skin, allowing the sperm to enter her body. It then migrates to her ovaries, and fertilisation takes place!
Birth can be as varied as reproduction. Some species lay eggs. Peripatopsis mothers retain eggs in their uteri and supply nourishment to their embryos, but without any placenta....Most velvet worms however, give birth to live young after a period of gestation their via a placenta. All young are born/hatch fully developed, and look like mini adults!
Above, Peripatus-sp, by Pedro Bernardo
(Peripatus mothers supply nourishment to their embryos through a placenta)
Euperipatoides rowelli just "born" (not sure what the term is for oviviparous animals), still in the egg membrane it developed in inside it's mother. The egg is approximately 2mm in diameter
As always my usual disclaimer.... I'm no expert, I just like learning and sharing information, any mistakes will be mine and I'll correct them if you leave a comment 👍
It has also been reported from the Mediterranean, off western Australia and West Africa (although the ones found in Australia differ in colour, and may be another species)
Main image, Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillar (Daphnis nerii, Sphingidae), by itchydogimages
Startled? Alarmed? Did I hear you mutter "WTF?" under your breath?
Then evolution wins again. Imagine if you were confronted by the same sight if you were a bird or a praying mantis or a snake for that matter. Eyespots (markings that resemble vertebrate eyes) have evolved many times in Lepidopterans (butterflies and moths). The fact that this adaptation has arisen independently so often in this group indicates the general effectiveness of this anti-predator defence. itchydogimages
Above, Moth Caterpillar - Cerura vinula, by Lukas Jonaitis
I took this photo last summer. This caterpillar is one of the most beautifull caterpillars in Lithuania. I think it is very photogenic caterpillar because of its green colour and red tails which are visible only when caterpillar is scared. He has very nice face. :) Lukas Jonaitis
This is a beautiful larva of a Saturnia Pyri, a butterfly which is around 16cm in maximum dimension at its mature state. Jano De Cesare
Above, Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Setora baibarana, Limacodidae) "The Jester" by itchydogimages
First-in-line to the throne of the brilliant Yunnan lineage of Limacodid caterpillars, together with its alternate colour form, "The Clown", "The Jester's" livery is almost fluorescent. itchydogimages
Above, Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar, Limacodidae, by Andreas Kay
Dubbed the 'jewel caterpillar', this lovely, translucent larva belongs to a family of moths known as Dalceridae. Although scientists are still unsure about the exact function of the caterpillar's translucent, gooey attributes, the leading theory is that the slimy stickiness helps to deter predators. According to Scientific American, the jelly-like 'cones' that cover the body break off easily (sort of like a lizard's tail), helping the caterpillar slip out of a predator's clutches. source
Above, Flannel moth caterpillar, by Drriss & Marrionn found here
It may look like Donald Trump's misplaced toupee (it's actually been dubbed the 'Donald Trump caterpillar'), but this flannel moth larva is actually not covered with hair at all. Those silky-looking threads are actually venomous spines that can cause intense, burning pain when touched, making the caterpillar one of the most venomous in the US. source
European Paper Wasp - Polistes dominula, by Heath McDonald
Whilst looking for the Bee Flies I came across a solitary male Paper Wasp on a dead leaf, it wasn’t the best angle, whilst moving the camera gear it started to be aware of me and moved to this position which looked even more awkward side one but from the front, gave a great position for a portrait, managed a few shots before it started moving again so left it alone at that point.
It is a gift from the sea to find it, for me the most beautiful nudibranch in the Mediterranean.
I like to investigate the origin of the names of the species and I especially liked the one of this nudi price:
"Antiopella" the fact that it is a marine animal and in particular a nudibranch suggests that it is Antiope, the daughter of the guardian of the winds Aeolus and Enarete, lover of Poseidon, there it is😊😉
cristata: from Latin [cristatus, a, um] = crested, crested, related to the caruncle among the rhinophores.
Nudibranchs in particular are especially popular with divers and underwater photographers because of their often vibrant and beautiful color patterns. The coloration is useful for more than just a pretty photo, however. Bright colors warn predators that these nudibranchs would make a bad meal because they are armed with toxins and other defenses Smithsonian
....three species of tunicates ("sea squirts") - Polycarpa aurata is purple and orange, Atriolum robustum is green, and the blue is from the genus Rhopalaea. (Nick Hobgood)
There are around 3000 species of Sea Squirts aka Tunicates!
They are called Sea Squirts because if they are touched or alarmed the muscle will suddenly contract forcing the water inside to shoot out!
Sea Squirt larvae look like frog tadpoles!
Above-
A deep-water larvacean (aka “sea tadpole”) inside its mucous “house,” which concentrates food from the water prior to reaching the animal’s mouth. (Hidden Ocean 2005, NOAA)
As larvae they swim around in the ocean current, and when they find a food rich environment they use sucker to attach to a rock, dead coral, boat dock, or mollusk shell!
Their notochord begins to shrink and is absorbed into the body, the tunic forms as the transformation continues and finally it becomes an adult Sea Squirt!
As an adult it will now feed on tiny particles found in the water, primarily bacteria!
Above, Blue Bell Sea Squirt (or Tunicate) - Perophora namei by Jim Greenfield
There are two types of sea squirts- solitary and colonial!
Both have 2 siphons. The Oral Siphon receives the nutrient content in the water, and the Atrial siphon excretes the waste!
Colonies are formed when a newly settled larvae changes into an adult. It then splits or 'buds' producing new individuals!
Colonies can range from a few centimetres to several metres depending on food supply and predation!
Colonial Sea Squirts share a common tunic and sometimes and also sometimes share the atrial siphon!
They have a digestive system similar to ours, complete with an esophagus, stomach, intestines and a rectum!
Sea Squirts act as ocean purifiers, as they consume bacteria. They can also absorb zinc and vanadium, indicating heavy metal presence within their ecosystem!
Above [An obligatory Nudibranch!], Striped sea slug snacks while strolling on a sea squirt by Nick Hobgood
All photos and info found here, except where indicated!
And as always my usual disclaimer- I'm not an expert in anything, I just enjoying finding and sharing interesting things.... Any mistakes are mine and I'll correct them if you let me know in the comments
👍
edit re-uploaded main image as it wasn't showing
edit 2 changed 'ancestors' to 'relatives' in the title
Blue Dragon nudibranchs are very common to the southeast coast of Australia and have a few color variations. Juveniles are white with blue rhinophores, and adults vary from dark purple to lavender to golden brown. I have seen these grow to a length of approximately 4 inches...
It was September 2014. I’d just started working front of house in a fancy hotel in Edinburgh. I spent most of my shifts with a paper napkin pressed to my nostril, as I had been getting lots of nosebleeds. I would soon find out why.
A few weeks earlier, I’d been travelling in Vietnam. I had rented a moped and had the time of my life driving around. I soon crashed but luckily was wearing a helmet, so only got a small bump on my head.
A few days afterwards, I started to intermittently spot blood from my right nostril. I assumed it was from the crash and didn’t think too much of it. I was 24 and too busy partying to take anything like that seriously. I danced the nights away while ignoring the persistent blockage in my nose.
Reality came flooding back after returning to cold Glasgow. Nothing had changed with my nose, so I went to the GP. The doctor told me that it didn’t sound like anything to worry about. I was advised to use Vaseline on the area to keep the nostril lubricated and was sent on my way.
A week later, I moved to Edinburgh for my job. That’s when I started to feel frustrated with my constantly stuffy nose. I wasn’t in pain, but sleeping was difficult. I would blow my nose to try to clear the blockage, but it would only lead to nosebleeds. Things started to get particularly weird when I was having showers. Through all the humidity, I could feel a thick, slimy thing moving down my nose.
I had a day off work; it had been a month since I returned from abroad. My friend Jenny was coming from Glasgow to meet me for dinner. I was in the shower when I felt the all-too-familiar feeling, but this time I glimpsed something hanging out of my nostril. I jumped out and raced to the mirror, frantically wiping off the steam. I saw a clot hanging out – then recoiled in horror when I saw ridges running along a thick black body.
I rushed out of the house to see my friend, screaming, “It’s a full-on worm!” Jenny knew about the problems I’d been having with my nose, but she didn’t believe me at first. I stuck my nose in the air so that she could see for herself. Her mouth hung wide as she gaped and said: “Yep, there really is a worm in there.”
At first, it was the most hysterical thing that had ever happened to us. We couldn’t stop laughing. Because it had been in there for so long, I felt very blase about the whole thing. We rang the NHS helpline. The call adviser was crying tears of laughter over the phone, as it was the most bizarre thing she’d heard.
We went to A&E. Doctors were bewildered and didn’t take me too seriously at first. But once the nurse looked up my nose, she gasped. I was placed on a gurney as they stretched my nostril open with forceps. The doctors spent 30 minutes using different tools to try to prise the leech away. Leeches release an anaesthetic when they bite so they can stay on a body for longer, which is why I couldn’t feel the pain before – but it was agony when the doctors tried to pull it out. When they finally succeeded, I felt a wave of cold air shooting through the blocked nostril. It was like being in a nightmare, seeing the leech held up high, squirming. It was longer than my finger.
I’d swum a lot on holiday, so we guessed that it most likely came from there rather than having anything to do with the motorcycle accident. The leech was put in a jar and sent to a specialist hospital in London for further testing – they were worried that it may have passed on further diseases to me. Suddenly, something that was so funny seemed much more serious.
Luckily, all of my tests came back clear, and I had no side-effects. I was given the leech back in a pot and told to dispose of it. The leech was rock hard because it had so much of my blood inside. It made me squirm just looking at it.
Now, a decade later, the story of the leech and me has become a go-to anecdote whenever I meet someone new. I even had someone message me on LinkedIn recently asking about it. So while the leech was attached to me in a very physical sense, I guess we’re still attached metaphorically. But I’m very glad it’s out.
They eat algae and store the chloroplasts in its body. The chloroplasts continue to photosynthesize and provide its host with a source of food!
Above 'Pair of leaf slugs on algae. They feed on green algae and can grow from 3 to 8cm long. Photo by Wesley Oosthuizen.' source
They have the ability to regenerate a completely new body (including a new heart) from their head, after it detaches itself from its old body! (A process called autotomy- self amputation)
Their ability was discovered by Sayaka Mitoh, a doctoral student at Nara Women's University in Japan, who spotted the decapitated head of E. marginata circling its separated body in one of the tanks in the lab
Above 'This image shows the head and the body of Elysia cf. marginata, a day after autotomy.' (Image credit: Sayaka Mitoh) source
Quite naturally she thought the slug would soon die, however..
"After a few days, the head started regenerating the body and I could see [the] beating of the heart. It was unbelievable," Mitoh told Live Science. "I was really happy and relieved when I found it could regenerate the body." source
A, Head and body of Elysia cf. marginata, just after autotomy (day 0), with the pericardium (heart) remaining in body section (arrow)
B, day 7
C, day 14
D, day 22, showing whole-body regeneration.
E, Head and body of Elysia atroviridis (individual no. 1) just after autotomy (day 0).
"The [original] body continues to move and live for days to months," Mitoh said. "You can see the heart beating" inside them, she added. However, the decapitated bodies did not appear to be capable of growing new heads themselves. source
The old bodies remained active for several days to months, until they started to shrink, turn pale due to the chloroplast loss, and eventually died. The beating heart remained visible until the body had fully decomposed!
So, why such an extreme behaviour?
In other animals self amputation usually occurs when escaping a predator, however this may not be the case here....
The head can take several hours to detach from the body, so not exactly a quick get away from a predator
Instead it is suspected that it is a means of ridding itself of parasites. There is a slight groove towards the end of the head which acts as a breakage plane, and the similar head severing species Elysia atroviridis all had internal parasites when they detached from their bodies....
However, no parasites were detected in Elysia marginata that did the same.....
The ingested chloroplasts are thought to help in the regeneration of the new body and keep the head alive in the absence of the digestive system organs (which remain with the body).
One individual that was studied underwent autonomy and regeneration twice, which researches think is the limit...(which probably means it didn't survive the third time scientists went to work with a scalpel)
Interestingly this behaviour was only exhibited by young Elysia marginata. When older animals were decapitated their heads survived up to 10 days, and didn't regenerate before dying
They live in the deep sea, specifically on the abyssal plain up to depths of 5000m
They can grow up to 4-6 inches
They have 6 pairs of enlarged tubal 'feet', and use water cavities in their bodies to inflate and deflate them in order to move around, as well as ten buccal tentacles lining their oral cavity
They live on the sea floor feeding on delicious foods such as decaying animals, poo and mucus!
If they are disturbed they can swim! In fact some Sea Pigs spend most of their lives swimming around in the water column using their frontal and anal lobes to propel themselves around!
They will gather in large numbers around whale corpses to feed and perhaps find a mate
Above, a congregation of Sea Pigs feeding on a whale carcass via MBARI
Their reproductive system is unique, the males only have one testis, and the females one ovary!
Also their skin contains a toxin called holothurin which is poisonous to predators...
They have a poorly defined respiratory system, and have to breathe through their anus!
Above photo by Oceans Network Canada via Treehugger
As they have evolved at deep sea depths they would swell and burst if brought to the surface
They are hosts to several parasitic invertebrates, including snails and small crustaceans
Usually King Crabs like to hide in rocks and seaweed from predators, but it is thought that these King Crabs were carried by the ocean current while they were small larvae and ended up in the deep sea....an area devoid of such hiding places!
“It’s like looking for a port in the storm,” said James Barry, ecologist and lead author of the study at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in Moss landing. Sea cucumbers are the ports or the biggest buildings to hide next to in an otherwise empty area.” Scientific American
Above, ' This photograph of the muddy seafloor offshore of Monterey Bay shows three Scotoplanes sea cucumbers, at least two of which are host to juvenile king crabs.' MBARI
Barry and his team found a total of 600 juvenile crabs, 96 percent of which were either clinging onto sea cucumbers or hanging around right next to them. Sometimes the crabs were upside down holding onto the belly of the sea pig and other times they were crawling on its side. In some cases, the researchers found more than one crab on a sea cucumber. Of the nearly 2,600 sea cucumbers videotaped, 22 percent had at least one juvenile crab clinging to them
Remnants of prehistoric worm Radnorscolex latus, unearthed in Herefordshire. Photograph: Richie Howard/Luke Parry/National History Museum/PA
An ancient worm unearthed in Herefordshire was a carnivorous predator that shoved its throat out to catch and eat prey, according to scientists.
The creature, named Radnorscolex latus, was found at a disused Victorian quarry site in the village of Leintwardine, near the Welsh border.
This marine worm is believed to have lived on the ocean floor about 425m years ago, when the region was under water. Analysis suggests it had a retractable throat that could extend out on to the seabed to capture prey hidden within the sediment.
According to Dr Richie Howard, curator of fossil arthropods at the Natural History Museum, Radnorscolex is reminiscent of giant worms in the Hollywood blockbuster Dune.
Howard said: “We think they weren’t too picky when it came to feeding and likely just shoved their throat out into the mud and grabbed anything they could find.
“They certainly make you think of the sandworms in Dune in that respect.”
Although fossil remains of Radnorscolex were first discovered a century ago, the technology was not advanced enough to allow palaeontologists to examine these in great detail.
Experts from the Natural History Museum in London used state-of-the-art imaging techniques to analyse the remnants.
Findings showed Radnorscolex had rows of sharp teeth and hooks on its head, which it would have used to anchor itself to the ground and drag its body forward to move.
Despite being a predator, analysis suggests the creature only grew to be about 8cm long.
The researchers said Radnorscolex belongs to a group of extinct worm-like animals known as Palaeoscolecids, which were wiped out completely about 400m years ago due to rapid climate and sea level change.
The findings are published in the journal Papers in Palaeontology.
Image and text from the original article in The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/feb/14/tracey-emin-interview-tate-modern-regrets-smokingOpen linkView original on mander.xyz