Dorid nudibranch elaborates its own chemical defense.
A biosynthetic experiment with mevalonic acid labeled with carbon-14 showed that the nudibranch Dendrodoris limbata elaborates polygodial, a sesquiterpenoid dialdehyde stored in the mantle, which constitutes its chemical defense against predators. Previously described nudibranchs drew defensive chemicals from their preys.
Cimino
G
G
DE Rosa
S
S
DE Stefano
S
S
Sodano
G
G
Villani
G
G