Chromodoris Nudibranch

Photo: Mike Krampf · CC BY-NC

Chromodoris nudibranchs graze across the Eel Garden slope in vivid blue and white configurations that advertise their toxicity — chemical compounds sequestered from sponges that make them unpalatable to virtually all predators. Their foraging behavior involves chemosensory tracking of preferred sponge species across the seafloor using rhinophores on their heads, and the diversity of nudibranch species at Madang — over 80 species documented — reflects an exceptional underlying sponge diversity.