Aplysia punctata defensive mechanism

December 13, 2000
From: Marilyn Jackson

Dear Bill,

After finding several Sea Hares on the sea shore I transferred them to a rock pool and was amazed to see a cloud of purple rising from the animals.

I initially thought I had damaged the creatures but came to the conclusion that they emitted some kind of warning/defensive chemical. Could you tell me what the chemical is and, if possible, what the active ingredient is which gives it its distinctive colour.

Regards
Marilyn Jackson
St Sampsons School,
Guernsey

auntiemin@gtonline.net

Jackson, M., 2000 (Dec 13) Aplysia punctata defensive mechanism. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3302

Dear Marilyn,
Most species of Sea Hares can release a cloud of red or purple ink when they are disturbed. It has been likened to the defensive cloud of ink produced by an octopus but there is no evidence to support that idea. The ink is largely composed of pigments derived from the red algae they feed on - primarily phycoerythrin or similar compounds.

Have a look at the Sea Hares - defence for some general information on the secretions and look at the other pages on Sea hares listed on the Sea Hares Page. Make sure you look at the other messages at the bottom of each page because there is always a lot of information there as well. I recently noted a new review on Sea Hare defence mechanisms which would be worth having a look at.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Dec 13). Comment on Aplysia punctata defensive mechanism by Marilyn Jackson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3302

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Aplysia punctata

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