Nudibranch

(Pteraeolidia ianthina) Commonly known as the 'blue dragon' by divers in eastern Australia, this aeolid is one of a group of remarkable nudibranchs which are way ahead of man in harnessing solar energy. It has evolved a method of capturing and farming microscopic plants (zooxanthellae) in its own body. The plants flourish in this protected environment and as they convert the sun's energy into sugars, they pass a significant proportion on to the nudibranch for its own use. The white animal is a juvenile which as not yet developed its crop of zooxanthellae.

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Copyright: Solvin Zankl
Image Size: 3000x4500 / 3.1MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license; https://solvinzankl.photoshelter.com/p/faq; Animal Animals Bright Brightness Color Colored Colorful Colour Colourful FARBIG HINTERKIEMER Hermaphrodite Hybrid Invertebrata Invertebrate Invertebrates Invertebrates – marine MOLLUSKEN Mollusca Molluscs Mollusk Multicolored NACKT KIEMER No People Nudibranch Nudibranchia Opisthobranchia SCHNECKE SCHNECKEN Sea Slug Shell-less Slug Snail Snails Soft-Bodied TIER TIERE WEICHTIER WIRBELLOS WIRBELLOSE ZWITTER
Contained in galleries: Sea slugs | Meeresschnecken

(Pteraeolidia ianthina) Commonly known as the 'blue dragon' by divers in eastern Australia, this aeolid is one of a group of remarkable nudibranchs which are way ahead of man in harnessing solar energy. It has evolved a method of capturing and farming microscopic plants (zooxanthellae) in its own body. The plants flourish in this protected environment and as they convert the sun's energy into sugars, they pass a significant proportion on to the nudibranch for its own use. The white animal is a juvenile which as not yet developed its crop of zooxanthellae.