Philine pruinosa? from Malta
March 12, 2007
From: Constantine Mifsud
Concerning message #19088:
Dear Bill,
I have this image of Laona pruinosa.
The specimen was dredged from Malta.
Locality: Off Gnejna Bay, 80 metres, Malta, Mediterranean, April 1997, coralligeneous substrate. Length: 4mm. Photographer: C. Mifsud.
Constantine Mifsud
kejdon@orbit.net.mt
Mifsud C., 2007 (Mar 12) Philine pruinosa? from Malta. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19637Dear Con,
Thanks for this interesting photo. Have you any information on its anatomy? Although the white edging and small parapodia have similarities to Philine pruinosa, the shell in your photo appears to be external, while in P. pruinosa the shell is internal. I did consider the possibility that the skin over the shell was damaged, but if that were the case I would expect to see the remains of the torn skin.
Most cephalaspidean bubble-shells can be distinguished, at least to the family level, by the shape and number of the gizzard plates, if present. I think I would need a bit of anatomical evidence before I could say anything sensible about this animal. If anyone has any ideas, please let us know
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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Re: 'Laona pruinosa' from Malta
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