Evolution of defense strategies in sea slugs

Description

Sea slugs have lost their protective shell and evolved alternative defense strategies against predators (toxins, acids, needles, etc). In this project, we investigate especially a subgroup of the Nudibranchia, the Cladobranchia. We search for the main defense strategies, which are the incorporation of cnidodysts from their Cnidarian prey (kleptocnides), or the incorporation of chemical compounds. These groups are also characterized by their cryptic appearance on their major substrate.

Location