DSC_6570 Brown sea hare (Aplysia keraudreni) when an animal such as this lays an egg mass they also release at least 4 pheromone messages into the surrounding seawater, (which have been called attractin, enticin, temptin and seductin!). The reason sea hares release more than one pheromone is probably to give the detecting animals more information (like we use more than one word to give greater detail), and may provide some kind of species specificity. Sea hares are frequently seen during the autumn, when they comes into the low tide zone to mate and lay eggs. Warrington *
P_3210005 Brown sea hare (Aplysia keraudreni) egg mass on sea lettuce. These are the eggs of the largest common sea hare in New Zealand. Frequently seen during the autumn, when it comes into the low tide zone to mate and lay eggs. Colour varies from pale brown to chocolate and may have white streaks and mottles. Warrington *