Data: Here is an image of unidentified egg cases deposited on snail shells, Bathybembix bairdii and Neptunea amianta, from deep water (400-1150m) off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Send thoughts and ideas to: Rick

Contact:
Rick Harbo
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
South Coast
3225 Stephenson Point Road
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 1K3
(250) 756-7268/ FAX (250) 756-7162

Discussions:

• Are you sure they are egg cases? They look like they could be some kind of tunicate (sea squirts. etc.). Paul M.

• Tell Rick there are a few buccinid egg cases identified to species at http://www.jaxshells.org/nopac31.htm Harry

• I think they are eggcases. I see similar items here in NZ; they are very thinwalled semispheres, hatched ones having a ragged hole in the apex. They may be molluscan, though I can't think what species would lay such cases; not muricid or ranellid. I guess it's possible that they might belong to fish? Andrew G.

• in fact, i think those egg cases look very alike some volutes egg cases (as Adelomelon). Fabio W