Seventeen new species of sea slug have been added to the nudibranch family tree courtesy of efforts from a group of researchers at the California Academy of Sciences.
These tiny underwater creatures come in a vast array of colors and patterns, and new genetic tools are making it easier for scientists to suss out subtle differences between species.
(Credit: Terry Gosliner © California Academy of Sciences)
Terry Gosliner © California Academy of Sciences
(Credit: Terry Gosliner © California Academy of Sciences)
The Cal Academy team focuses on a sea slug genus called Hypselodoris. These images above show two of the new species described — Hypselodoris melanesica (blue) and Hypselodoris iba (purple), taken by academy curator and invertebrate zoologist Terry Gosliner, who is part of the team.
Gosliner has discovered over one-third of all known sea slug species – roughly 1,000 in all – and National Sea Slug Day (October 29) ...
