Cerata , singular ceras , are anatomical structures found externally in nudibranch sea slugs , especially in aeolid nudibranchs, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks in the clade Aeolidida . The word ceras comes from the Greek word "κέρας", meaning "horn", a reference to the shape of these structures.
4-540: Ceras may refer to: the singular of Cerata , anatomical structures found in nudibranch sea slugs, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks Ceras (gastropod) , a mollusc genus in the family Achatinidae Centre de Recherche et d’action sociales , a French association created in 1903 by Society of Jesus "-ceras", a suffix used to describe many horned animals Cera dynasty , an Indian dynasty that ruled over parts of southern India [REDACTED] Topics referred to by
8-474: The digestive system to cnidosacs at the tips of the cerata. Here the nematocysts mature and are then used by the nudibranch for its own defense. In some nudibranchs, cerata are used as decoy tactics. Typically, these cerata are not armed with nematocysts, but when attacked, the nudibranch will autotomise or drop one or more of its cerata. The dropped cerata produce a sticky secretion and wriggle energetically for some time after being cast off, presumably causing
12-550: The same term This disambiguation page lists biology articles associated with the same name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ceras&oldid=877780923 " Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Biology disambiguation pages Cerata Cerata are dorsal and lateral outgrowths on
16-520: The upper surfaces of the body of these nudibranchs. Cerata greatly extend the surface area of nudibranchs and aid in respiration , the process of gas exchange for metabolic use. Cerata are also used, in some cases, for attack and defense. In many aeolid nudibranchs, the digestive system extends into the cerata. These nudibranchs eat stinging celled animals ( Cnidarians ) such as anemones , hydroids and sea fans or Portuguese men o' war . The stinging cells or nematocysts are passed unharmed through
#612387