Hypselodoris sp. 4 eggs

September 27, 2002
From: Linda Ianniello


Note added 31 May 2010: This species has recently been named H. juliae.

Dr. Bill,
Here is a shot of the eggs of Hypselodoris sp. 4. We have been observing this species frequently over the past year, at this same location, but this is the first time I have ever seen any eggs. Which is even more surprising since they are so bright! The first shot shows the eggs with the Hypselodoris in the same algae; since it wasn't actually laying the eggs I recorded that it was right there, along with a tiny crab. The second shot is a close-up of the eggs only - without the crab. It is interesting that they feed on the blue sponge shown in my other submission, but these eggs were on algae some distance from any sponge.

Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida
Depth: about 10 feet
Recorded: July, 2002

Regards,
Linda Ianniello

lindai@us.ibm.com

Ianniello, L., 2002 (Sep 27) Hypselodoris sp. 4 eggs. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7816

Thanks Linda,
The eggs are indeed a bright colour. Have you actually seen them laying them? It would be an interesting study to see whether some species lay their eggs on their food sponge and others do not. From my experience, most species seem to sometimes lay them on their food and other times don't, but I have never the sort of comprehensive and systematic observations which would be required.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Sep 27). Comment on Hypselodoris sp. 4 eggs by Linda Ianniello. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7816

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