Do nudibranchs have eyes?

May 10, 2000
From: Anonymous

Do nudibranchs have eyes?

PHOTO: Showing head of Umbraculum mediterraneum [Photo: M. Thorpe & K. Nagengast].

Anonymous, 2000 (May 10) Do nudibranchs have eyes?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2377

Dear ?,

Yes, all sea slugs have eyes but they aren't very good at seeing things. We think that all the eyes can do is let the slug know whether it is light or dark, or when a shadow is passing over them. This might be useful if the shadow is made by a fish or something that is coming to eat them.

The eyes in sea slugs are embedded in the skin not on stalks like land snails. Have a look at the page on the Dorid head for a photo of a nudibranch eye. I have also added a couple of photos here showing the eyes in two other sea slugs.

PHOTO: Costasiella. Arrow pointing to eyes. Photo: Lindsay Warren].

It seems a shame with all their beautiful shapes and colours that they can't see each other.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

PS: Normally I delete anonymous messages, but I assume the lack of a name and address was a mistake.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (May 10). Comment on Do nudibranchs have eyes? by Anonymous. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2377

Factsheet

Sea slug questions

Related messages

  1. Sea slug eats own brain??
    From: Charles Stenholm, March 18, 2010
  2. Sea slug eyes
    From: Erwin Kodiat, January 18, 2007
  3. How many noses does a slug have?
    From: Emma, October 3, 2003
  4. The fastest Sea slug?
    From: J.Van Doorslaer, February 24, 2003
  5. Sea Slugs in general
    From: Rachel Wierenga, September 11, 2002
  6. Need some information
    From: Maria Bernamudez, May 14, 2002
  7. Do nudibranchs taste?
    From: Jeanette McInnes, February 12, 2002
  8. Re: Where do nudibranchs sleep?
    From: Brian Penney, January 31, 2002
  9. Where do nudibranchs sleep?
    From: Jeanette McInnes, January 25, 2002
  10. What does cf mean?
    From: Elianny Dominguez, September 21, 2001
  11. Where do sea slugs live?
    From: Patty, July 17, 2001
  12. What is the family name for the sea slug?
    From: Patrick O'Connor, June 11, 2001
  13. RE: What do var, cf. etc mean?
    From: Nishina Chikako, June 8, 2001
  14. What do var, cf. etc mean?
    From: Nishina Chikako, May 21, 2001
  15. What does 'nudibranch' mean?
    From: David James, April 25, 2001
  16. URGENT QUESTION?
    From: Maggie, April 22, 2001
  17. Are sea slugs harmful to people
    From: Heidi Colonnese, March 10, 2001
  18. What are sea slugs importance to man?
    From: Sarah, January 8, 2001
  19. General information on sea slugs
    From: Nick, December 30, 2000
  20. Nudibranch that eats algae?
    From: Eric Sterns, October 23, 2000
  21. Bubble shell
    From: Jennifer, October 19, 2000
  22. Information about slugs
    From: Kathleen, October 2, 2000
  23. More information on sea slugs
    From: Jennifer & Kate, October 2, 2000
  24. Protection from Dryness
    From: Jacob Benveniste, September 30, 2000
  25. Re: Nudibranch Information
    From: Anne Dupont, March 15, 2000
  26. Information on adaptations
    From: Ross Sinclair, March 13, 2000
  27. Information on Sea Slugs
    From: M.C.M, March 13, 2000
  28. Information for a School Project
    From: Emilee Bucholz, March 5, 2000
  29. Information for Sigrid, Caroline & Ashlee
    From: Bill Rudman, February 19, 2000
  30. What do they eat?
    From: Samantha , February 16, 2000
  31. How do nudibranchs breathe?
    From: Lillie Hetze, January 21, 2000
  32. How are species recognised?
    From: Nishina Masayoshi, July 4, 1999
  33. Interesting facts about Sea slugs
    From: Hartzell, June 9, 1999
  34. General Habitat
    From: K. Rabinoiwtz, May 24, 1999
  35. Re: Nudibranch questions
    From: Christian Desprez, May 19, 1999
  36. Nudibranch questions
    From: Christian Desprez, May 3, 1999
  37. on rhinophores, cerata, and how many species?
    From: Carlo Magenta, March 15, 1999
  38. Nudibranch info needed
    From: Steve, February 20, 1999
  39. Re: Nudibranch Questions
    From: Beth Kyd, February 16, 1999
  40. Sea Slug questions
    From: Dale Kyd, February 12, 1999
  41. Information on nudibranchs
    From: Ross Tetreault, February 11, 1999
  42. Why study nudibranchs?
    From: Brehan Miller, February 9, 1999
  43. Sea Slug metabolism
    From: Sean Wise, February 5, 1999
  44. Information on Nudibranch biology
    From: Christian Desprez, January 28, 1999
  45. Thanks
    From: Kathie Bryant, December 4, 1998

Show factsheet and all related messages