Ovula ovum
(Linnaeus, 1758)
This is not nudibranch or sea slug
Photographed by: Ken Tucker
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Prosobranchia |
| Order: | Sorbeoconcha |
| Family: | Cypraeidae |
| Species: | Ovula ovum |
Comment from Felix Lorenz on photo #15335
JuvenileComment from Felix Lorenz on photo #16444
JuvenileComment from Neville Coleman on photo #11074
FAMILY: OVULIDAECOMMON NAME: EGG COWRY
SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Ovula ovum
REMARKS: This is a juvenile specimen with typical balloon – like pustules on the mantle. The species is widely distributed throughout the Indo - Pacific , from the Red Sea to the South Pacific and grows to a size of 120 mm. It feeds on soft corals of the genus Sarcophyton spp. and Lobophytum sp.
Comment from Richard Willan on photo #11322
A juvenile individual.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #10755
A juvenile individual with the mantle lobes closed up as to completely conceal the shell.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #6366
Juveniles have a remarkable mimetic resemblance to Phyllidia varicosa. In adults, the mantle lobes are completely smooth and entirely black.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #1551
An adult in situ on its food soft coral. Both lobes of the mantle are extended so as to hide the pure white shell.Locality:
- Indonesia
- Lembeh (8) Jan, Feb, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
- North Sulawesi (4) May, Jul, Aug
- Bali (3) Jan, Oct
- Rinca Island (2) Oct
- Manado (1) Apr
- Philippines
- Puerto Galera (4) Jan, Jul, Aug, Oct
- Anilao (2) May, Jun
- Cabilao Island (2) Feb, Mar
- Kenya
- Watamu (2) Oct, Dec
- Taiwan
- Long Dong (1) Sep
- Secret Garden (1) Aug
- Mozambique
- Ponta Do'oura (1) Mar
- Malaysia
