Philinopsis reticulata from Reunion Island

February 27, 2008
From: Philibert Bidgrain


Dear Bill

We found this specimen [Upper Photo] crawling on the sustrate in a lagoon during the night [Reunion Island, Indian Ocean]. It has the same pattern that another specimen found some years ago [Lower Photos ]
Do you think that it's a variant of P. cyanea or of P. reticulata?

Best regards

Philibert Bidgrain
pbidgrain@yahoo.fr
http://vieoceane.free.fr/runseaslug/indexslug.htm

pbidhrain@yahoo.fr

Bidgrain, P., 2008 (Feb 27) Philinopsis reticulata from Reunion Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21218

Dear Philibert,

These are two quite distinct species. The upper is P. cyanea and the lower P. reticulata. It's not easy to see from these photos but P. cyanea has a broad anterior end to the head and the posterior end of the headshield is a raised flap with a prominent median crest.  P. reticulata on the other hand belongs to a 'subgroup' of the genus Philinopsis with a narrow anterior end to the head and a simple rounded posterior end to the head shield. There are major internal differences to the foregut which usually show externally as a rounded median bump at the front of the head.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Feb 27). Comment on Philinopsis reticulata from Reunion Island by Philibert Bidgrain. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21218

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