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An egg case or egg capsule, often colloquially called a mermaid's purse, is the casing that surrounds the eggs of oviparous chondrichthyans. Living chondricthyans that produce egg cases include some sharks, skates and chimaeras. Egg cases typically contain one embryo, except for big skate and mottled skate egg cases, which contain up to 7 ...
Some species are oviparous, laying their fertilized eggs in the water. In most oviparous shark species, an egg case with the consistency of leather protects the developing embryo(s). These cases may be corkscrewed into crevices for protection. The egg case is commonly called a mermaid's purse.
This shark is found in the deep waters off northwestern Australia. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] The species name refers to the ridges on the egg case . Egg cases belonging to this species had been documented as early as the 1980s, but could not be matched to any species of Australian shark until scientists examined a shark specimen of previously uncertain ...
The horn shark is preyed upon by larger fishes and the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), which consumes adults, juveniles, and egg cases. In addition, they are captured and eaten by bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at Catalina Island, and large marine snails are able to drill into their egg cases to extract the yolk. [6]
The thin-walled egg cases are brown with distinctive pale transverse bands; and have a slightly furry texture and long adhesive tendrils at the corners. They are smaller than those of other shyshark species, measuring 3.5–5 cm (1.4–2.0 in) long and 1.5–3 cm (0.59–1.18 in) across.
Egg case with yolk. The swell shark is oviparous, laying two green or amber flattened eggs at a time. [1] [3] Fertilization occurs internally. [5] The egg cases become attached to kelp or the reef with tendrils. It has been suggested that the length of the tendrils depends on the amount of surf action the region is under. [4]
The egg case of the crested bullhead shark has distinctive, long tendrils at one end. Crested bullhead sharks are oviparous with a possibly annual reproductive cycle. Females produce 10–16 eggs per year during late winter in July and August, though Michael (1993) noted that egg-laying may continue year-round. [ 1 ]
The eggs are contained in large yellowish capsules. After a few months, the egg case partially opens, enabling seawater to flow in to the egg. Juveniles emerge from the capsule after six to eight months at about 12 cm (4.7 in) in length.