Hermaea variopicta - egg ribbons

March 29, 2006
From: Hervé Limouzin


Dear Bernard,
Dear Bill,

I dived again at La Rance-Saint Malo [see message #15936], and I saw -again- numerous Hermaea variopicta. There were many couples on massive eggs masses like you can see in my photos. I took photos at 3 different place during the dive. I observed that algae near Hermaea are covered with a sort of translucent frosting. The egg ribbon's size was about 2-3 mm in diameter. I don't see spirals but I think that it is due to the type of algae on which the eggs are attached (there are no flat surfaces...) The color
is translucent white and the eggs are easy to see in the ribbon.

Concerning the algae, I ask for help from local experts and the 2 algae on which I saw Hermaea were Soleria chordalis and Plocamium cartilagineum (not Halurus equisetifolius).

Sincerely
Hervé Limouzin

billr@seaslugforum.net

Limouzin, H., 2006 (Mar 29) Hermaea variopicta - egg ribbons. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16192

Dear Hervé,
I must say I was expecting an egg mass like this, but some species of Placida certainly lay white jelly-like masses like this, but in m experience they are attached on one side. As you say the type of algae aren't best for attaching an egg ribbon.

Thanks for keeping us informed. I am not sure if the egg ribbon of this species has been noted before
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Mar 29). Comment on Hermaea variopicta - egg ribbons by Hervé Limouzin. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16192

Factsheet

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