Philinopsis taronga - life cycle information

December 9, 2003
From: Paul Furneaux

PHOTOS: Upper right, lower left - egg masses November 2003. Lower right - Phlinopsis taronga August 2003. Harbour Drive, Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand.

Dear Bill,
Earlier in the year my interest in sea slugs generally was sparked by finding some examples of Philinopsis taronga here in Tauranga Harbour NZ. Since then I have kept an eye out for them and have seen their numbers/activity decline during the winter months with only rare sightings of individual animals such as the example in the photo (taken in August). Reproductive activity seemed to come to a complete halt during July, August & September but in October I noticed that in a shallow (30-40cm deep) subtidal location adjacent to the tidal flats where I had observed them reproducing earlier in the year, egg masses were appearing. The average number per survey was about 35 egg masses and this number continued to increase within this sheltered subtidal area, but the egg masses also began to appear in the tidal streams that drain these flats and which drain into the subtidal area referred to. Furthermore, the number and range of these masses was far greater than anything that I had observed in autumn, reaching tallies of more than 250 egg masses (Dec 2nd). The photos show an example of an egg mass in water and a more typical pair of egg masses, partially exposed at low tide.

The animals themselves remained elusive, but they finally revealed themselves during a dawn survey when 16 individuals were sighted, (29th Nov.) possibly still active from their apparently nocturnal habit at this time of the year. It looks as if the numbers will continue to climb through the summer months and it will be interesting to follow their progress.

I'll be away for the next few weeks on holiday, so this will be my last communication for the year. Thanks very much for your help this year Bill, you and the Forum have been inspirational for me this year. All the best for the Xmas holidays,
Regards,
Paul Furneaux.

P.Furneaux@xtra.co.nz

Furneaux, P., 2003 (Dec 9) Philinopsis taronga - life cycle information. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11633

Thanks Paul,
Have a good holiday, and I hope in the new year you will have some time to discover a few more 'bubble shell' mysteries. Although some species are very common we know very little about their basic biology and life histories. You many messages from Tauranga, New Zealand, are certainly showing us all, that with diligence and perseverance, we can discover a lot in our own backyards
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Dec 9). Comment on Philinopsis taronga - life cycle information by Paul Furneaux. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11633

Factsheet

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