Bulla gouldiana - egg laying

August 9, 2006
From: Kevin Lee


Hi Doc,

Here are more photos of Bulla gouldiana [Gould's Bubble Snails]  , still proliferating at La Jolla. Last week the critters were clumped in tight aggregations, perhaps amorous. In nearly all instances, the groups were intertwined in yellow stringy "stuff". Perhaps eggs of this species?

Locality: La Jolla Shores Canyon, Main Wall, 30~35 fsw, California, USA, Eastern Pacific, 27 July 2006, Sandy bottom. Length: 6 cm. Photographer: Kevin Lee.

All best,
K:-)

diverkevin@gmail.com

Kevin Lee, 2006 (Aug 9) Bulla gouldiana - egg laying. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17315

Dear Kevin,
It looks like you have found a group egg-laying. Some time ago - 3 years ago in fact - I posted a message [#9364] describing some research showing that some species of Sea Hare have a pheromone in their egg ribbon which they called attractin because it causes sea hares to aggregate around the egg ribbon. I have just noticed a couple of later papers on the topic which I will post a message about when I get a moment. The interesting point is that perhaps Bulla also has a pheromone in its egg ribbon to attract specimens of Bulla to aggregate around egg strings in the same way.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Aug 9). Comment on Bulla gouldiana - egg laying by Kevin Lee. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17315

Factsheet

Bulla gouldiana

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