Defensive Glands in Hypselodoris

Dear Austin,
Sorry its taken me a while to answer this question. I guess you are referring to: Avila,C; Cimino,G; Fontana,A; Gavagnin,M; Ortea,JC; Trivellone,E (1991): Defensive strategy of two Hypselodoris nudibranchs from Italian and Spanish coasts. J. Chem. Ecol. 17(3), 625-636.

I am not sure if they were implying that the colour border was to hide the glands. In many chromodorids the glands become part of the colour pattern. For example in Chromodoris tumulifera the glands form a distinctive part of the colour pattern, especially in juveniles. I have put a close-up photo of the mantle edge of Chromodoris tumulifera alongside. In another example, Chromodoris woodwardae the white glands form a distinctive band at the mantle edge.

I discuss the role of these glands and colour patterns in defence on the Colour Defence, Defensive Glands and Chromodorid mimicry Pages.

If these animals are using their colour patterns to warn potential predators of their distastefulness, then it doesn't really matter if the glands are hidden or highly visible. The aim is to deter the predators. To hide the glands so the predator only knows about them after it takes a bite might give the prey a warm feeling of revenge (if it could think) but it would also give it a nasty pain in the side!

I think you are right in suggesting location is important. I suspect the position of the glands around the mantle edge in most chromodorids allows the prey to 'warn' the predator after 'nibbling' and minor biting. As I suggested in my 1991 paper, species of Ceratosoma well illustrate that. Their glands are concentrated in the large dorsal horn which I suspect acts as a lure attracting predators to the nastiest and least important bodily part. Have a look at Ceratosoma brevicaudatum where the juveniles in particular advertise this nastiest tasting part of their body with a bright red colouration.

I used to think that there must be a pore through which the mantle glands secreted their distasteful chemicals. I could never find one in histological sections and neither have the many European workers who have looked in recent years. Which suggests that the mantle edge needs to be damaged before the 'glands' or 'sacs' can do their job. Gland is probably a bad word for the structures but I find Mantle Dermal Formations (MDFs) a bit of a mouthful. Concerning mucous secretions. All nudibranchs, all molluscs for that matter, have mucus glands scattered over their skin, which gives land snails and slugs their 'slimy' sticky feel. If they are concentrating chemicals in their MDFs it is surely possible that they can do something similar through their epithelial mucus glands. I have included a not very good photo showing Glossodoris rubroannulata exuding a cloud of white secretion which is probably something similar.

I will have a go at some of your other questions when I get a chance.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.