Abstract
The defensive mechanisms of opisthobranch molluscs have received much attention in recent years. The sea hare Aplysia dactylomela (Rang, 1828) is known to secrete a purple ink which might serve as a defensive mechanism. The study was designed to determine if the ink would repel potential predators by being distasteful and/or noxious to them. Tests in aquaria exposed scavenging crabs to fish tissue (local baitfish) and to sea hare tissue, with and without ink present. Results indicate that the ink serves a defensive function by repelling the crabs. While the crabs would feed on A. dactylomela, they avoided the sea-hare tissue once ink was present in the surrounding water. Inking behavior of A. dactylomela is one of several means of defense which enables these animals to effectively avoid most predation.
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