Collected from trawl by-catch, the egg mass was found attached to the shell of Gyrineum spp. along with sponges. Fishermen have trawled at a depth of 30 meters off Chennai coast, south east India.
Can it be of the same gastropod? or has it been deposited by other species?
When I wen through images, Gyrineum egg mass is like a mat and not stalked as in this image!!
Hi
I think this is a kind of sea weed (probably something like Sea Thong).
In Norway we have Himanthalia elongata which produces these "buttons" (2-5 cm high). After a while you'll notice some "threads" growing out from the buttons - which are the reproductive organs.
Please take a look at my Attached Picture from Norway.
Dear Dr Haldis thank you for the information but is there any hold fast similar to the ones on top of the shell? are they found in clusters or are they solitary as seen in this picture that you have posted, clicked in Norway?
Hi
On the Picture I sent you there are two "buttons", one in front without reproductive organs, and one at the back With reproductive organs.
I Googled and found a few better Pictures for you. The buttons have hold fasts, and can be found both solitary and in Groups. By the way - nice Pictures you've taken.
Regards, Halldis R.
Dear Dr Haldis,
thank you for the information and swift response. I am also planning to take microphotographs of the same and share it. Thanks for the compliments
Best regards
Deepak
I think, there is no doubt that this gastropod egg mass, mainly of the same species, Gyrineum spp. I have seen egg masses of the gastropd Fusinus (Fusinus) marmoratus on their living and dead shells
Thanks Dr Hanafy, actually the Gastropod is not Gyrineum but Distorsio. And yes, I have seen similar egg masses on Chicoreus ramosus, C. virgineus, Pleuroploca trapezium and Murex tribulus. This is for the first time I have seen this on Distosio.
Thank you for your inputs. Best regards, Deepak
HI again
Since you mentioned Your Picture is of Distorsio: I just found a Picture of Distorsio laying eggs. The eggs of Distorsio, at least from the Attached Picture, are very small and does not look like the once on Your photos.
Please inform us if/ when you find the answer to Your question.
Regards, Halldis R.
Dear Dr Haldis, thank you for your interest. It is clear now that the eggs are not of Distorsio. Many times, gastropods of different species deposit their eggs on other species. I am not ruling out the possibility of others too.
Will surely let you know and moreover since you are following the question, you twill be automatically updated :)
Hi again
Sorry for the mis-typing of the species. I have seen same in Murex tribulus, even it is not a common way in thsi species egg masses
Regards
that's right Dr.Hanafay! we have to now wait and search for the species. Meanwhile, I will post pictures of the egg mass under microscope
Hi all,
adding a microphotograph with measurements of a single egg case
regards
Deepak
I am not familiar with Indian Ocean species, but the egg capsules look similar to species in the Muricidae family, and some in the Buccinidae. Have you dissected one of the capsules? If so, how many embryos were inside? What is the general shape of each shell?
Hi Dr Wingard! I have not dissected the eggs yet! will do it and have a look at the embryo, count them and see the shape.
A good question Dr waters!
Well, I have seen similar structures, "gastropod" egg capsules, similar in make up and texture. I might be wrong, but based on my personal observations, I believe it to be gastropod egg capsules. As suggested by Dr Wingard, I will dissect it soon to throw more light on the internal contents
Best regards
Deepak
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