Post News Network
Puri: A number of sea slugs have been sighted for the first time in the state, said a senior scientist at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), raising concern for tourists taking a bath in the sea because these marine animals are known to be poisonous.
These flesh-eating animals that live in the deep sea were last spotted in Bermuda Triangle last month and on the Andhra Pradesh coast in 2012. A number of them were seen near the beach at Hotel May Fair and the Banki river mouth since Monday, said Rita Jayshankar, a CMFRI scientist.
“The carnivorous animal is also known as dragon nudibranch. We have been seeing them here since Monday,” said Jayshankar. The animal is seen in the marine habitats of South Africa, Europe, Australia, Peru and Mozambique.
Sea slugs float in water upside down and do not have shells, though they are an invertebrate species. Their upper parts are blue and black and the lower portion is silver grey. The animal, which can grow up to a length of three centimetres, has six wings. The length of sea slugs sighted on the beach of the holy town varies from one and two centimetres.
“Sea slugs survive by eating smaller animals. They even eat the poisonous jelly fish. They can store the venom of the jelly fish to use it whenever they face threats,” said Jayshankar. When a sea slug bites a human being, itching and inflammation are the usual symptoms, she said, adding that the presence of the animals is a matter of concern as thousands of tourists take a bath in the sea every day.
Jayshankar, however, wondered as to why these animals have appeared in the coast. She said she discussed the issue with the headquarters of CMFRI in Chennai.