Packing a punch - Flabellina rubrolineata - Purple dragon nudibranch #marineexplorer

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The flame-like tips of many flabellinas and other nudibranchs contain stinging cells which keep predators at bay. But nudibranches don't make these cells - they steal them! Flabellinas eat hydroids and anemones, which have stinging cells called nematocysts for their own defense. These cells have a hair trigger which fires a venomous "dart" when brushed by another animal. Flabellinas can eat these and separate the nematocysts in their stomachs without triggering them. The nematocysts are then shunted internally to the ends of the cerrata on the nudibranch's back.