Haminoea zelandiae egg masses

December 8, 2003
From: Paul Furneaux

Dear Bill,
Although I've been busy with other species in Tauranga Harbour [North Island, New Zealand], Haminoea zelandiae has been busily reproducing throughout most of the year, but seemed to reach a peak during September when the proportion of large animals (50-60mm long) appeared to be greatest and the products of their reproduction, the jelly-like egg masses were incredibly numerous. In some situations the supply of Ulva was almost "cleaned up" by the large numbers of animals and almost any suitable surface was covered with their egg masses. By November the numbers of adult animals had diminished significantly leaving only their egg masses behind, although Haminoea is so abundant on these flats that it seems unlikely that there would ever be a period when there were no adult animals at all present. The photos show some of the massed feeding around a diminishing food supply, and some of the egg masses. These photos were taken on 7 October 2003.

I should have one more communication re. Bulla and one more re. Philinopsis before the Christmas break.
Regards,
Paul Furneaux.

P.Furneaux@xtra.co.nz

Furneaux, P., 2003 (Dec 8) Haminoea zelandiae egg masses. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11626

Dear Paul,
It's great to hear more about these animals. I agree that its hard to believe that animals so abundant can disappear at times, but that's exactly what happened the year I attempted to start a research project on Haminoea many years ago. They completely disappeared from the Auckland region for almost 18 months. I look forward to your messages on Bulla and Philinopsis.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Dec 8). Comment on Haminoea zelandiae egg masses by Paul Furneaux. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11626

Factsheet

Haminoea zelandiae

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