02/24/2024
Welcome to God’s Pocket Marine Life Moments!
In this series we will introduce you to some of the species that live in and around the Ocean around God’s Pocket.
Meet the Barnacle-eating Nudibranch!
Barnacle-eating nudibranchs aka Onchidoris bilamellata, are a species of sea slug known for being probably one of the most cutest nudibranchs ever. Shaped like a little dust bunny, these sea slugs can be found in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones along the coasts of Europe and North America, where they feed primarily on barnacles. Their name, "Onchidoris," is derived from the Greek words "oncho" meaning "hook" and "doridos" referring to a type of nudibranch, highlighting their feeding preference for barnacles.
Onchidoris bilamellata possess several adaptations that allow them to feed on barnacles efficiently. They have specialized rasping tongues called radulae equipped with tiny teeth that they use to scrape and consume the soft tissues of barnacles. Additionally, these nudibranchs often camouflage themselves with the shells of their prey, which not only provides protection but also helps them approach barnacle colonies undetected so they can deploy a very, very slow moving nudi sneak attack. Despite their small size, barnacle-eating nudibranchs play a significant role in controlling barnacle populations in their ecosystems, contributing to the balance of intertidal and subtidal communities. They can be seasonally found in large breeding aggregations right under the dock at God’s Pocket.
