Packaging and delivery of chemical weapons: a defensive trojan horse stratagem in chromodorid nudibranchs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Storage of secondary metabolites with a putative defensive role occurs in the so-called mantle dermal formations (MDFs) that are located in the more exposed parts of the body of most and very likely all members of an entire family of marine mollusks, the chromodorid nudibranchs (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia). Given that these structures usually lack a duct system, the mechanism for exudation of their contents remains unclear, as does their adaptive significance. One possible explanation could be that they are adapted so as to be preferentially attacked by predators. The nudibranchs might offer packages containing highly repugnant chemicals along with parts of their bodies to the predators, as a defensive variant of the strategic theme of the Trojan horse.

Methodology a

SUBMITTER: Carbone M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3631210 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature