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Haliotidae, also called abalone, is a family of edible marine gastropods of the ancient subclass Vetigastropoda.

Typically compressed in shape, abalone cling firmly to their substrate. Adorned by a series of holes in the shell used for respiration and reproduction, they are among the most easily recognisable of all gastropods. Their shell interior is composed of nacre (or mother-of-pearl) and can be highly iridescent.

What Are Polyclad Flatworms?
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This wonderful infographic by the Marine Biodiversity of Yucatán (BDMY) provides a heap of information combined with great visual representations of these worms and their world.
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Polyclad flatworms, also called marine flatworms are members of the order Polycladida in the phylum Platyhelminthes. Polyclad get their name from their many-branched digestive system (derived from the Greek "Polus"(numerous) and "klado" (branch).
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Polyclads outward appearance could make a fashion designer envious, as they are some of the most vibrantly colored and visually striking groups of marine invertebrates. The vivid patterns and coloration, reminiscent of nudibranchs, can serve as a warning to predators or as camouflage among corals and other colorful invertebrates and algae.
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The majority of polyclads are marine organisms. A few species have even adapted to brackish environments, and even fewer to freshwater. The free- living marine species can be found from the intertidal zone down into the deep-sea at depths exceeding 1000 meters (3300 ft.). Polyclads are benthic organisms, typically living close to the seafloor where they glide over the seafloor propelled by cilia on a carpet of mucus. Some are also capable of swimming by undulating their bodies.
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Ecologically, polyclads act as both predators and prey. Voracious carnivores, these flatworms feed primarily on small invertebrates, such as mollusks, crustaceans, and other worms. Many polyclads have a close association with sessile organisms such as bivalves, tunicates, sponges, and corals. Polyclads may be using these animals as a refuge from predators, or acting as predators on their associated hosts.
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They feed through a muscular tube, called a pharynx that is thrust outside of their bodies. With their pharynx everted, polyclads can extend part of their digestive system out of their bodies to engulf or pe*****te prey. This allows them to feed on animals that are difficult to access or to digest the prey externally before absorbing the nutrients.
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Polyclad flatworms can be prey to fish and larger invertebrates, although they have several effective defense mechanisms. Some species produce toxic chemicals, while others rely on their ability to regenerate damaged tissue. Their bright colors and patterns might also serve as warning of their bad taste to potential predators. Additionally, polyclads are good at evasion, as their thin, soft bodies with abundant mucus glands are difficult to grasp and easily slide into small crevices where larger predators can't follow.
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Polyclads exhibit remarkable reproductive strategies. They are hermaphroditic, meaning individuals possess both male and female reproductive organs. Mating can involve elaborate behaviors, such as "p***s fencing," where two flatworms duel with their copulatory organs, each attempting to inseminate the other. Once fertilized, polyclads lay clusters of eggs, with some species hatching as miniature adults, while others emerge as Müller's larvae and complete their development in the plankton before settling to the seafloor to metamorphose into adults.
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Hernández, A., Ugalde, D., & Simoes, N. (2022). Polyclads. Zenodo.
Versión Español https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7309009
Versão em Português https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7325205

Καλό μήνα σε όλους και καλό χειμώνα!

𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗔𝗕𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗧𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗡𝗙

On October 10 at the CMAS 8th Freediving Depth World Championship 2024, located in the Mediterranean Sea in Kalamata, Greece, 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗸𝗮 (𝗨𝗞𝗥) made history with a dive to 80m (262ft) without fins, setting a new absolute World Record in the Constant Weight with No Fins (CNF) discipline. Congratulations, Kateryna - you did it again!

Kateryna, a former synchronized swimmer, has already showcased her exceptional abilities in water sports before she even began freediving. After winning multiple champion titles at European Championships in synchronized swimming between 2010 and 2014, Kateryna seamlessly transitioned into the world of freediving when she participated in her first freediving competition in 2017.

Kateryna's breakthrough in frediving occurred in 2022 at the CMAS 6th Freediving Depth World Championship, where she dove without fins to a depth of 70m (230ft) and became the CNF World Champion. In 2023, she pushed herself even further, improving her personal best (PB) in the discipline by 8m (26ft) within one competition season, eventually reaching 78m (256ft). This was a significant improvement in the CNF discipline, especially considering the challenges it presents.

Celebrating Kateryna's 78m World Record last year, we expressed hope that her next CNF dive could be 80m deep. And now, it is a 'remember-that-tweet' moment, because just a year later, Kateryna made that dream come true.

At the World Championships, athletes usually announce dives that are several meters shallower than their PB to secure a ranking position and not risk losing out on a medal. This is because they have only one attempt to succeed in each discipline. Kateryna wasn't scared of the harsh conditions of the Mediterranean Sea, its cold water, or the Championship pressure - she not only became a World Champion again but also pushed the world's best result to an incredibly bold depth. Even among the men in freediving, only 17 athletes have ever managed to reach the same depth. Truly mindblowing - congratulations, Kateryna!

🐙 🦑 International Cephalopod Awareness Days 🐙 🦑

October 12 – Fossil Day (to coincide with National Fossil Day), for all the incredible suckers that have gone extinct but left an impression with us.

Shell-ibrating fossil cephalopod shells Reimagine with their occupants.

A fun article about artist Franz Anthony and his “ ” illustration campaign from six years ago. The artist chose to illustrate extinct cephalopods (ammonites, nautiliods, belemnites and other, lesser groups) as colorful animals “in their own right and not just as background characters – or lunch – in paleoart”.

See the article for more details and illustrations: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/28/artist-resurrects-obscure-fossils-in-gorgeous-living-colour-franz-anthony

🌊 Dive into the Depths with Alessia Zecchini! 🌊 Get a peek of the Women Constant Weight Bi-fins (CWTB) event at the 2024 CMAS 8th World Championship Freediving Depth! Watch as remarkable athlete Alessia Zecchini takes on the challenge on October 12, 2024. 👉 For the full reel, visit CMAS TV here: https://tv.cmas.org/sportitem/670a687d24e77ace3c33f7e2 Stay tuned for more epic moments! 🌍🤿 #CMAS #2024CMAS8thWorldChampionshipFreedivingDepth #Freediving