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/19637

Dear 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

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Mar 12). Comment on Philine pruinosa? from Malta by Constantine Mifsud. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19637

Factsheet

Laona spp

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  1. Re: 'Laona pruinosa' from Malta
    From: Constantine Mifsud, March 16, 2007

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