Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Next suborder	Aeolidacea Nudibranchs of the suborder Aeolidacea lack gills and use elongate processes on their dorsal surfaces, called cerata, for respiration. Each ceras also contains a branch of the digestive gland increasing the surface area for nutrient absorption. Most aeolids are specialized predators on hydroids or anemones but some consume octocorals, opisthobranch eggs or other invertebrates. Many retain the nematocysts from their prey in special sacks, called cnidosacs, in the tips of their cerata, using them for their own defense. Some also retain zooxanthellae from their prey in specialized branches of the digestive gland allowing them to survive for long periods without eating. At least six families are known from Hawaii. Flabellinidae Babakinidae Eubranchidae Tergipedidae Facelinidae Aeolidiidae Uncertain Family
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