Robert Nordsieck· 16 Dec 2010
Hi there, this is not a nudibranch, but a cephalaspidean, only distantly related to nudibranchs. Kind regards Robert
Sea slugs & snails
Variable Chelidonura
Chelidonura varians
Also known as: Blue Doris, Blue Velvet Headshield Slug, Blue Velvet Sea Slug, Blue Velvet Slug, Blue-lined Sandflat Slug, Blue-lined Slug, Hammerhead Sea Slug, Hammerhead Slug, Tailed Slug, Velvet Headsheild Slug, Velvet Sea Slug
ALSO KNOWN AS
- Blue Doris
- Blue Velvet Headshield Slug
- Blue Velvet Sea Slug
- Blue Velvet Slug
- Blue-lined Sandflat Slug
- Blue-lined Slug
- Hammerhead Sea Slug
- Hammerhead Slug
- Tailed Slug
- Velvet Headsheild Slug
- Velvet Sea Slug
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Overview
Found singly or in pairs, over shallow waters, amongst rubble and sandy areas, of coral and rocky reefs.
Cephalaspidea or Head Shield Snails are of the Opisthobranchia group,some of which still have a shell. The head shield from which this group attain their name, is a broadened part of the head,used to dig into the sand and protect the snail.
All opisthobranchs are hermaphrodites.
These beautiful slugs are usually brilliantly coloured as a deterrent against opportunistic predators. Some sea slugs secrete acid from stinging cells in their tentacles while others secrete acid from cells in their mantle.
They are slow moving, can swim or be propelled along either by muscular contraction or by millions of tiny hairs on the bottom of a fleshy 'foot', they have a voracious appetite and feed with a rasp like tongue.
They lay their eggs in a ribbon effect on the sand, in different colours depending on species.
Their main predator are other Sea slugs.
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How to identify
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Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-West Pacific
- Country only · 8
LIVES IN
Found singly or in pairs, over shallow waters, amongst rubble and sandy areas, of coral and rocky reefs.
RANGE
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Adult photos 8
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Discussion 1
1 comment
ALL STAGES
FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS
Deep dive
Taxonomy
- kingdomAnimalia
- phylumMollusca
- classGastropoda
- orderCephalaspidea
- familyAglajidae
- genusChelidonura
- speciesChelidonura varians Eliot, 1903
SourcesWoRMSSea Slug Forum
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More in the family
Head Shield Slugs (Aglajidae)
