Influence of solar radiation, microalgal fouling, and current on deposition site and survival of embryos of a dorid nudibranch gastropod

Abstract

Submerged egg ribbons of Archidoris montereyensis were laid in the shade of macroalgae more often than by chance. More embryos died in submerged sunny than in submerged shady sites. The egg ribbons in shady field sites were less fouled by microalgae and were found in slower currents. Either solar radiation or algal fouling could kill embryos, but low flow did not. Defenses against algal fouling were not apparent; in the field more diatoms fouled new egg ribbons than fouled glass microscope slides. Embryos are protected from solar radiation by thickness of an egg mass, and egg ribbons of different species appear to differ in vulnerability to solar radiation. -from Authors