Repurpose 13

Path followed:

1.   Are there any external resources used?

Answer: No

2.   Can the component maintain the same role in the mechanism/system once it is fixed?

Answer: Yes

3.   Is there a foreign material in the mechanism/system?

Answer: Yes

4.   Can the foreign material be removed?

Answer: No

 

13) Spanish shawl, Flabellina iodinea

Spanish shawls are a type of nudibranch which are small creatures that donÕt have a hard exterior but are just made up of skin, muscle and organs. These creatures can be seen by their vibrant purple, orange, and red color display in shallows, reefs, and near sea vents (Holland, Jennifer S). Spanish shawls have the capability of eating a poisonous organism and living.

Certain nudibranch species eat sponges that are poisonous and potentially fatal to other organisms, but are able to survive without damaging their fitness. In fact, nudibranchs can eat toxic sponges and thrive by adapting and using this toxin in their favor. The nudibranch alters and stores the toxin in their skin, muscles, and organs. (Holland, Jennifer S). If the animal is ever to get in danger it could secret the poison from its skin cells or glands helping to protect itself. Other nudibranch species ingest nematocysts, tightly coiled stingers, after eating another organism that contains nematocysts (Holland, Jennifer S). They will then display the nematocysts on their skin to also protect themselves from predators.

Holland, Jennifer S. “Nudibranchs.” Nudibranchs- National Geographic Magazine. National Geographic, June 2008. Web. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/nudibranchs/holland-text.