Calpurnus verrucosus from Red Sea

September 25, 2002
From: Michael Mrutzek


Dear Bill,
Here are two photos of another slug from the Red Sea for use in the Forum. It was photographed at Erg Estha, a reef off Hurghada, on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, August, 2002. 15 meters on soft coral Sarcophyton. The lower photo shows its eggs. Photo Copyright: Michael Mrutzek

Michael

Mrutzek@meeresaquaristik.de

Mrutzek, M., 2002 (Sep 25) Calpurnus verrucosus from Red Sea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8038

Dear Michael,
This is an ovulid snail, Calpurnus verrucosus. Although not a slug, I have a page for the Ovulidae, because when they have their often colourful mantle extended out over the shell, they can be easily mistaken for slugs. In this species, the black spotted folds of the mantle almost completely enclose the white shell.

In fact ovulids seem to have evolved the ability to store noxious chemicals from their food, in their bodies. Like many nudibranchs, which do the same thing, these chemicals can then be used as part of the snail's defensive strategy.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Sep 25). Comment on Calpurnus verrucosus from Red Sea by Michael Mrutzek. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8038

Factsheet

Ovulids (False Cowries)

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