NHM Expeditions - Costa Rica

Nudibranchs are fundamental to our understanding of evolutionary processes in general and more particularly of a major event in the evolution of mollusks. Over time, most snail species have adapted to predation pressure by producing a well-armed shell that protects them from predators with large claws and powerful jaws. Nudibranchs, however, have developed chemical defense mechanisms and the ability to incorporate nematocysts as a substitute for the protection offered by a shell. Being shell-less has advantages in terms of not devoting energy and nutrients to building the shell and in providing adult nudibranchs with a more flexible body form that can crawl into places that a shelled snail couldn’t.

Nudibranchs are important ecologically as indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Decreases in their species diversity or abundance in a particular area can be early warning signals of diminished environmental quality.

Several characteristics of nudibranchs also make them medically important to humans. Nudibranchs have large individual nerve cells (neurons) and have been the focus of biomedical research on primitive nervous systems which helps scientists understand the more complex nervous systems of humans and other vertebrate animals. In addition, the organic molecules that nudibranchs produce to defend themselves are powerful chemical agents that can deter the growth of cancerous cells. For example, the chemistry of the sea hare, Dolabella auricularia, is currently being studied for its ability to retard tumor growth. Other compounds produced by nudibranchs also have potential pharmaceutical value in fighting human diseases.

general info | contact us | media | privacy policy | copyright | membership | shop | jobs | volunteer | search | site map