Bloom of Aplysia in Portugal

September 17, 2002
From: Manuel Malaquias

Dear Friends,
Yesterday [12 Sept 2002] hundreds of Aplysia (unknown species – I didn't look at them closely) appeared in the sand of a beach near Lisbon. I have never heard of anything like that on the coasts of Portugal or elsewhere. Can someone give me an explanation to this "phenomenon". Is this kind of situation known in other places?
Thanks to all.
Manuel Malaquias

mmalaqui@ualg.pt

Malaquias, M., 2002 (Sep 17) Bloom of Aplysia in Portugal. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7970

Dear Manuel,
Mass 'swarmings', mass mortality etc is quite a common phenomenon amongst Sea Hares worldwide. Have a look at the Mass Mortality Page for more information and at earlier messages on this page.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Factsheet

Mass mortality

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