Philinopsis troubridgensis from South Australia

August 1, 2001
From: Nigel Holmes

Dear Bill
Thanks for identifying the Phyllodesmium magnum

This aglajid is from South Australia, some years ago. Living in sand, 5m of water, sheltered coast near Edithburgh on Yorke Peninsula. South Australia.

Best regards
Nigel Holmes
Rockhampton, QLD.

holmesnjc@optusnet.com.au

Holmes, N., 2001 (Aug 1) Philinopsis troubridgensis from South Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4898

Thanks Nigel,
This is Philinopsis troubridgensis, one of the largest, if not the largest species in the genus growing to more than 70mm in length. If you have any idea of its size it woulfd be an interesting record as there are very few observations of living animals. As a sublittoral burrower in muddy sand it seems to have missed the attention of the intertidal colector and the scuba diver. Most records are either from dredged material or from moribund, dying animals washed up on the shore.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Aug 1). Comment on Philinopsis troubridgensis from South Australia by Nigel Holmes. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4898