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Rod Andrewartha | all galleries >> Underwater >> Nudibranches > Pteraeolidia ianthina
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25-JAN-2006

Pteraeolidia ianthina

This nudibranch is quite intriguing: it has evolved a way of capturing and farming microscopic plants (Zooxanthellae) in its own body. These plants convert solar energy into food and pass on much of that to the nudibranch for its own use. The nudibranch can thus go a considerable time without having to eat. And the Zooxanthellae get to survive instead of being eaten by a predator. Pretty cool all round, you must admit.

Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom
1/60s f/7.1 at 11.5mm iso100 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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