Dirona albolineata eggs?

August 6, 2007
From: Jackie Hildering

I am not positive about these as I have yet to see an animal lay the mass but believe that these are the masses of Dirona albolineata. Although both Dendronotus iris and Dirona albolineata are prominent on this site and that the eggs could be those of D. iris at a different stage of maturity, I more often find these more transparent masses on brown algae like Agarum fimbriatum and occasionally, fairly loose on a sandy bottom (like the one photo I have included). Any insights into discerning the eggs masses of Dirona albolineata, Dendronotus iris and Dirona pellucida would be greatly appreciated!

Locality: Bear Cove - Port Hardy, 30 to 45 feet, British Columbia, Canada, Pacific Ocean, 09 April 2007 , mud bottom. Length: 16 cm. Photographer: Jackie Hildering.

Jackie Hildering

earthlingenterprises@telus.net

Hildering, J., 2007 (Aug 6) Dirona albolineata eggs?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20169

Hi Jackie,

I usually avoid the identification of lone egg masses at all costs unless they are very characteristic. These however, as you mention, are not. But keep in mind you are trying to ID the eggs of species belonging to two completely different suborders, Dendronotina and Arminina.

The size alone, of your mass suggest D. iris. Your mass also agrees with this species as described in Hurst (1967). She describes the mass of Dirona as "untidy in appearance and superficially similar to that of Aeolidia." The mass in your photo seems quite "tidy" to me. She also describes the mass of Dirona aurantia as being salmon-pink in color.

  • Hurst, A. 1967. The egg masses and veligers of thirty Northest Pacific opisthobranchs. The Veliger 9(3): 255-288.

Hope this helps,
Dave Behrens

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Aug 6). Comment on Dirona albolineata eggs? by Jackie Hildering. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20169

Factsheet

Dendronotus iris

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