Conversations Holiday Listening: Nerida's nudibranchs, sea dragons and siphonophores
Jan 1, 2026
In this fascinating chat, Dr. Nerida Wilson, a marine molecular biologist from the Western Australian Museum, dives into the wonders of deep-sea life. She shares her awe-inspiring first sighting of a nudibranch and reveals their stunning diversity and unique adaptations. Discover the enchanting sea dragons with their camouflaging leafy appendages and learn how AI is being used to monitor their populations. Nerida also recounts her thrilling expeditions into the Ningaloo Canyons, including spotting a colossal siphonophore and exploring the depths with cutting-edge ROV technology.
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First Nudibranch Moment
- Nerida Wilson described seeing her first nudibranch at Mornington Pier on 29 March 1994 and becoming mesmerised by it.
- That moment sparked a lifelong fascination that led her into marine biology and nudibranch research.
Colour As Warning And Evolutionary Memory
- Nudibranchs lost their protective shell and evolved chemical defences that are often advertised by bright warning colours.
- Colouration can be a deterrent, a mimic, or a retained ancestral trait with complex evolutionary stories.
They Live In A Chemical World
- Nudibranchs largely navigate a chemical world and have rudimentary vision, so their flamboyant colours target other species rather than themselves.
- Their sensory ecology relies on tasting and chemical cues more than complex eyesight.