March 25, 2006

Visible through the walls of its egg case, this palm-sized swell shark
(Cephaloscyllium ventriosum) appears ready to hatch.  Often called
"mermaid's purses", shark and ray egg cases are secured to the bottom using a
variety of mechanisms. This one had cork-screwed filaments which connected it to
a clump of algae.

    "Shale Island", Monterey Bay, California
    March 25, 2006



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