Haminoea from France

February 13, 2001
From: Jean-Pierre Bielecki


Dear Bill
Can you help me to find the species of the following Cephalaspidae, [Bullidae family] found in the Mediterranean Sea, 2 December, 2000.

Dive site : étang de thau, Sète, South of France. Depth : 6m in algae Ulva rigida and on the surrounding sand. Size : 2 cm. Water temperature : 12°C

Best regards.
Jean-Pierre Bielecki

bielecki.jeanpierre@free.fr

Bielecki, J-P, 2001 (Feb 13) Haminoea from France. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3793

Dear Jean-Pierre,
From the transparent shell I would say this is not a species of Bulla but a species of Haminoea [Family Haminoeidae].

I am not an expert on the European species of Haminoea, but the two most common species would seem to be H. hydatis and Haminoea navicula. Thompson (1976) says that in H. navicula the mantle, which can be seen through the transparent shell, has brown spots and orange blotches (see inset in photo) so I am guessing that this is H. navicula.

If someone will confirm that identity, I'll make a page for this species. Species of Haminoea are herbivores, and it seems in temperate waters, most species feed on the algae Ulva and Enteromorpha and sometimes the organic film found covering either the soft sea bed or sea-grass leaves.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Note added 15 Feb 2001: See Bernard Picton's message suggesting this is Haminoea hydatis

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Feb 13). Comment on Haminoea from France by Jean-Pierre Bielecki. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3793

Factsheet

Haminoea hydatis

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