New Philinopsis from Japan

January 18, 2001
From: Rie Nakano


Dear Bill,

I found this opisthobranch at Ishigaki-Island, Okinawa, Japan. July, 2000.

Depth:13m
Lengths: 50mm, 40mm

These animals crawled at very high speed on the top of the overhang. When I touched one, it put out purple ink like a sea hare. Could you tell me what kind of opisthobranch is this?

Sincerely,
Rie

rie@street.ne.jp

Nakano, R., 2001 (Jan 18) New Philinopsis from Japan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3547

Dear Rie,
I am pretty sure that this is a new species of Philinopsis (Family Aglajidae). Looking at the shape of the head I would guess that it has a long muscular pharynx like Philinopsis gardineri. The only other species of Philinopsis with a colour pattern of transverse lines is Philinopsis lineolata.

The purple ink you describe is unusual, as most aglajids produce a yellow ink, when they are disturbed, from a gland which opens into or near the anus. As you mention, Sea Hares are the only sea slugs I know that produce a purple ink.

This is a very interesting, and beautiful, new find
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Jan 18). Comment on New Philinopsis from Japan by Rie Nakano . [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3547

Factsheet

Philinopsis sp. 1

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