Swarming of Stylocheilus striatus

February 21, 2007
From: Everett M.Turner Jr.

Hi,
In April of 2006, my wife and I were diving in Carlisle Bay in Barbados. We were at a depth of about 25-30 feet when we notice what we thought was a carpet of algae on the sandy bottom. Closer inspection revealed this "carpet" to be very tiny sea hares. This carpet of sea hares was about 3 feet wide and extended in a wandering fashion over the bottom at depths of 50-60 feet to the 25-30 feet where we first noticed. We followed it for perhaps 50 yards and it extended as far as we could see in both directions over the sandy bottom.

We had never seen this before and took some pictures (not very good pictures. I posted them on my web site, www.dollyjebenterpises.com, on the "other" page and asked if anyone knew what they were. I was contacted by Les Wilk of Reef Net who advised they were Stylocheilus striatus and they were swarming. He directed me to your site, hence this message.

Locality: Carlisle Bay, Between 25-50 feet, Barbados, Caribbean, 27/28 April 2006, sandy/ patch reef. Length: 1/4-3/4 inches. Photographer: Everett Turner.

The pictures I took are still on my site and can be viewed at www.dollyjebenterprises.com on the "Other items " page.

Dr. Everett M. Turner Jr.

everett@dollyjebenterprises.com

Turner, E.M., 2007 (Feb 21) Swarming of Stylocheilus striatus. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19488

Dear Everett,

These 'swarmings' are certainly spectacular events. In your upper photo I suspect the darker colour on the sand, at the bottom left, is the brownish layer of blue-green algae [or more properly cyanobacteria] on which these small sea hares feed. I suspect the sand is whiter near the animals because they have eaten the organic layer. No doubt you have seen the mass mortality page where these events are discussed and listed.

In the large photos you sent I noticed quite a few little pinkish purple stains in the water, one of which you can see at the bottom of the middle left photo. This is the purple ink which many sea hares squirt out when they are disturbed.

Thanks for sending us these photos
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Feb 21). Comment on Swarming of Stylocheilus striatus by Everett M.Turner Jr.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19488

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Stylocheilus striatus

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