Another grass bed find from the Philippines

July 10, 2006
From: Charles Raabe


This is yet another grass bed find for me, while I haven't actually seen a shell, it feels like it may have a small shell. I am assuming it is an algae eater going by its rasping mouth parts. An identification would be nice if possible. Thank you.

Locality: Mactan Island, 2 feet, Philippines, Indo Pacific, 14 June 2006, sea grass bed. Length: 1.5 inches. Photographer: Charles Raabe.

Charles Raabe

charlesr1958@pacific.net.ph

Raabe, C., 2006 (Jul 10) Another grass bed find from the Philippines. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16968

Dear Chuck,
The green animal is Phanerophthalmus smaragdinus, a primitive herbivorous slug with an internal shell. The grey-black animal in your lower photo is quite different. It is a marine snail, with a flattened shell partially hidden by folds of skin on its back. Have a look at the Scutus page for more information.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Jul 10). Comment on Another grass bed find from the Philippines by Charles Raabe. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16968

Factsheet

Phanerophthalmus smaragdinus

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