DIVE LOG AUSTRALASIA FEB 2026

GUEST SPEAKERS

DAVID MULLINS https://nudibranchdomain.org/ Everyone wants to find a new Nudibranch - those colourful photogenic slugs of the sea. However, it can be just as enjoyable finding Nudibranchs doing things and recording it. But do we know what it is they are actually doing. I can assure you they are not just sitting on the substrate waiting to be photographed. Nudibranchs and their sea slug relatives exhibit a fascinating range of behaviours Some are solar-powered Some steal the stinging cells and use them for defence. Some slugs can actually swim. Across all the sea slugs they consume animals from just about every invertebrate phyla, plus plants. Some are cannibals - often when mating. Mimicry is raised to a high level. They do not possess proper eyes but find their way around by chemical detection. Some autotomize (self amputate) body parts as an escape. They are able to consume some of the most toxic creatures without harm They can also synthesise some of the most toxic organic substances known.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #416 - February ‘26

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