{"id":18880,"date":"2021-09-02T20:36:56","date_gmt":"2021-09-03T00:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.world.dan.org\/?post_type=dan_alert_diver&p=18880"},"modified":"2023-06-20T17:56:37","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T21:56:37","slug":"a-slugs-life","status":"publish","type":"dan_alert_diver","link":"https:\/\/world.dan.org\/id\/alert-diver\/article\/a-slugs-life\/","title":{"rendered":"A Slug\u2019s Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many divers love nudibranchs for their unique shapes, bright colors and difficulty to spot underwater. People who are intrigued with the science behind what they see may also appreciate these animals for their amazing adaptations, such as the ability to incorporate toxins from their prey into their own bodies. <\/p>\n\n\n

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A Coryphellina exoptata displays its brilliant colors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Now there is more to appreciate about these beloved sea slugs. At the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut, nudibranchs have become storytellers for an issue facing our oceans that is difficult to understand yet imperative to know about: global climate change. The aquarium has taken a unique approach to educate the public on this global threat. Their new exhibit, A Slug\u2019s Life: Facing the Climate Endgame<\/em>, showcases the adored mollusk and runs through Sept. 6, 2021. The exhibit\u2019s specific intent is to help guests understand the warnings that changing slug populations provide about the health of their habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aquarium chose nudibranchs as the ambassador for this exhibit because of their unique beauty and status as an indicator species. They respond to environmental changes within their habitat faster than many other animals do. A sudden increase or decrease in nudibranch abundance could indicate environmental fluctuations associated with climate change. Coral reefs are the most common home for nudibranchs, so nudibranch populations can provide information about a habitat that\u2019s highly susceptible to increasing temperatures and decreasing pH levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partly due to their small size \u2014 less than 3 inches on average, according to Barrett Christie, Maritime Aquarium\u2019s director of animal husbandry \u2014 nudibranchs are not often the main attraction at aquariums. While slowing down and looking closely at these animals is certainly part of the allure, Maritime Aquarium had to get creative about how to draw guests to the exhibit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to incorporating other mollusks such as an octopus, conchs and sea hares, A Slug\u2019s Life<\/em> sets itself apart from similar displays with the integration of photography and sculpture. There are photographs of nudibranchs from around the world, including the work of Gordon Tillen (the Philippines), Keith Ellenbogen (New York City), Kevin Lee (California), Alicia Hermosillo (Mexico), Jim Anderson (Scotland) and Emanuel Gon\u00e7alves (Portugal). There are also onyx and marble sculptures by Connecticut artist Gar Waterman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Several of Gar Waterman\u2019s nudibranch sculptures with portraits behind them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGar\u2019s large sculptures announce right away that there\u2019s something different and unusual here. And creating that intrigue is important,\u201d Tom Frankie, director of exhibits, explained. \u201cWe want people to want to find the nudibranchs and to see the other animals displayed. In addition, the sculptures, as well as the beautiful photographs, convey how wildly varied nudibranchs are in their shapes and colors. They\u2019re so unique and diverse that they\u2019re worthy of being represented as art forms. The exhibit encouraging guests to appreciate nudibranchs opens up ways for us to communicate about the environmental threats to reef communities and our oceans at large from climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waterman, who is possibly the only sculptor in the world who creates sea slugs from stone, further identified the importance of incorporating art into the exhibit: \u201cArt can be an extremely useful tool in engaging an audience, and art and science combined can be more effective educators than either on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHumans are attracted to art,\u201d photographer Lee said. \u201cCombining the art of sculpture with brilliant photographic images in an exhibit is very effective because it attracts, entertains and, most important, educates visitors about our marine world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A young guest enjoys the exhibit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The exhibit has seven live displays featuring two nudibranch species: the lettuce nudibranch and the pygmy sea hare. Other mollusks showcased include a common octopus, California sea hares, horse conch, red abalone, giant clams, cowries and Indo-Pacific snails. Another vital component of the exhibit is a display of live freshwater mussels, which Christie said are one of the most endangered animals in North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the art, Waterman purposefully sculpted these tiny animals on a large scale to allow guests to view the nudibranch\u2019s unique details. Frankie explained that he similarly approached the photography display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to blow up the images so people can appreciate these unusual, beautiful animals,\u201d Frankie said. \u201cBut we stayed away from closeups of cerata and other nudibranch body features so our guests can see those features in the context of the entire animal \u2014 the same way that Gar\u2019s sculptures capture the complete form.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A marble sculpture of a Flabellina nudibranch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some photographs are physically displayed, while others will be viewable on a 60-foot digital screen. There is also an outreach component to this exhibit, including a photo competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea of A Slug\u2019s Life: Facing the Climate Endgame<\/em> is to educate and create a sense of awareness that promotes behavioral changes. \u201cBy giving people creatively presented examples of biodiversity and reminding them that this is what we have to lose,\u201d Waterman explained, \u201cthere is a chance to strike a chord of environmental awareness that we can hope might lead to proactive involvement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitors will no doubt leave this exhibit wanting to do their part to protect the beloved nudibranch. Christie explained that each of us could do something to make a difference and protect their habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe easiest, smartest ways to do that,\u201d he said, \u201care to reduce your use of single-use plastics, find ways to reduce your carbon footprint and commit to purchasing only sustainable seafood.\u201d He also pointed out that nudibranchs are difficult to maintain in tanks and advises home aquarists to \u201cadmire these beautiful creatures on the reef while diving or through art and photography rather than trying to keep them at home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jelajahi Lebih Lanjut<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Watch Gar Waterman carve a nudibranch out of stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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