The Nontaxonomic Term Sea Slug Encompasses a Wide Variety of Marine

question 26

Multiple Choice

The nontaxonomic term sea slug encompasses a wide variety of marine gastropods. One feature they share as adults is the lack of a shell. One might think, therefore, that they represent defenceless morsels for predators. In fact, sea slugs have multiple defences. Some sea slugs prey on sponges and concentrate sponge toxins in their tissues. Others feed on cnidarians, digesting everything except the nematocysts, which they then transfer to their own skins. Whereas the most brightly coloured sea slugs are often highly toxic, others are nontoxic and mimic the colouration of the toxic species. Their colours are mostly derived from pigments in their prey. There are also sea slugs that use their colouration to blend into their environments.
This nudibranch, a type of sea slug, has many reddish cerata on its dorsal surface, as well as two white-tipped rhinophores located on the head.
-The nematocysts of sea slugs should be most effective at protecting individual sea slugs from predation if the predators ________.

• A) remove small bites of flesh from sea slugs and have long-term memory
• B) remove small bites of flesh from sea slugs and have no long-term memory
• C) consume entire sea slugs in one gulp and have no long-term memory
• D) consume entire sea slugs in one gulp and have long-term memory

---

Definitions:

Substance Abuse

The harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.

Death Rates

The frequency of deaths in a particular population, measured per unit of time and often categorized by cause.

Female Adolescents

Young females typically between the ages of 13 and 19, going through physical, psychological, and social transitions from childhood to adulthood.

Peak Growth

The maximum rate of growth or development, often referring to physical or economic factors.