Re: Aplysia - Mass mortality in Florida

January 9, 2002
From: Daren Hoffman

Bill,
I have found a large number of dying sea hares which I believe to be Aplysia brasiliana. They are practically identical to the ones found by Anne Dupont. I was wondering if you could tell me why they start to die off and wash up to shore about this time of year. I live in Florida on an island in the Gulf of Mexico. Last year, at this time, I witnessed the same incident. The bay's shores were littered with either dying or dead sea hares. My hypothesis is that the water has become to cold for them to survive. I don't think it has anything to do with mating or old age because the young and old alike are dying, also I have found numerous sea hare egg sacs washed up on land. I would appreciate it if you could help me out.
Thanks,
Daren Hoffman

silver_palm@yahoo.com

Hoffman, D., 2002 (Jan 9) Re: Aplysia - Mass mortality in Florida. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5922

Dear Daren,
Mass mortality events often seem to be triggered by an adverse weather event, so I guess cold water could be a factor although Sea Hares seem to survive well in aquaria in much cooler water than they normally experience in the field. Have a look at Mike Schmale's message discussing mass mortality in Aplysia brasiliana. He suggests that adults dying of old age often become much smaller than when they were healthy, so if you are judging small animals to be 'young' on their size, then this may not necessarily be so. Also have a look at the Mass Mortality Page for more information.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jan 9). Comment on Re: Aplysia - Mass mortality in Florida by Daren Hoffman. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5922

Factsheet

Aplysia brasiliana

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