Hi All,

I too have noticed that during the spring/summer Cypraea spadicea in
California also hang out in groups-one female on an egg mass is surrounded
by several other smaller ones (males?).  Since the eggs are already
fertilized I am curious why they do this.  Maybe a brooding female or her
eggs gives off an attractive scent.

Susie
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>> "Cypraeids are unusual among gastropods in that the female remains on
>> the egg mass, covering it with her expanded foot until the eggs
>> hatch....The brooding female remains on the egg mass, presumably without
>> feeding.
>
>I have also noticed in the Florida Keys that when you find two Cyp. zebra
>under a rock together, one is generally on eggs. The other will move but the
>one on eggs won't. One is usually larger (female?) than the other, too, and
>the larger is on the eggs. Makes me think the male hangs around but I don't
>know why.
>
>Peggy
>
>
>

************************************************************
Susanne K. Fork                         phone: 831-429-9859
Ocean Sciences Dept EMS                 fax:   831-421-0558
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA 95064