This is a cluster of Leafy Hornmouth (Ceratostoma foliatum) egg capsules. There are two large grayish snails below the yellow capsules — those are the Leafy Hornmouths. Although we have found their egg capsules occasionally (see the post called "Fluted" from 11 February 2014), I don't recall seeing the snails in the process of laying eggs on Bodega Head before, so it seemed worth documenting.
P.S. The smaller yellowish snail is a different species, Paciocinebrina lurida (formerly Ocinebrina lurida). There are other interesting invertebrates in this image, so look around!
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cool image. What interesting morphology of those egg capsules.
Carol
Hi, Carol!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Wouldn't it be cool to have a field guide to all of the different egg capsules!?
:) Jackie