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Aeolidacea
Nudibranchs
of the suborder Aeolidacea lack gills and use elongate processes on
their dorsal surfaces, called cerata, for respiration. Each ceras also
contains a branch of the digestive gland increasing the surface area
for nutrient absorption. Most aeolids are specialized predators on
hydroids or
anemones but some consume octocorals, opisthobranch eggs or other
invertebrates. Many
retain the nematocysts from their prey in special sacks, called
cnidosacs, in the tips of their cerata, using them for their own
defense. Some also retain zooxanthellae from their prey in specialized
branches of the digestive gland allowing them to survive for long
periods without eating.
The animal listed in Pease, 1860 as Aeolis parvula seems to be
unassignable to any of the included species and may represent an
additional record. Also, the identity of the animal described as a
"bluish black species ..." and illustrated in fig. 98a of Edmondson,
1946 has yet to be determined.
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