Mass mortality of Aplysia californica

March 24, 2001
From: Jose Luis Ochoa

I need your help: some recent events of mass mortality of Aplysia californica have occured in Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

There are no clearcut reasons that explain these phenomena; since strandings of A. californica are uncommon, people are not really prepared to handle them. Children seem to like to play with specimens found still alive.

I wonder, do you have any idea about what is causing this? is it dangerous? should health authorities declare some caution or preventive measurements?

THANKS
Jose Luis Ochoa

jlochoa@cibnor.mx

Ochoa, J.L., 2001 (Mar 24) Mass mortality of Aplysia californica. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4025

Dear Jose,
Have a look at the page on Mass Mortality in the Forum. Click on any of the underlined words to be taken to another relevant page. As you will see on that page there have been a number of these mass mortalities in Florida in the last few months. These are almost certainly 'natural' events caused by a combination of boom populations and severe weather events. If pollution was involved it would be very strange that only Sea Hares were affected.

As far as danger to people is concerned. Unless all the local marine life is being killed, Sea Hare deaths are unlikely to be the result of pollution. Sea Hares pose no known threat to humans so there is no likelihood of kids being in any sort of danger from handling them. Have a look at the general page on Sea Hares for some background information on these fascinating animals.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Mar 24). Comment on Mass mortality of Aplysia californica by Jose Luis Ochoa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4025

Factsheet

Aplysia californica

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