Philine spp.
In California (PAGE 1)

Order: CEPHALASPIDEA
Family: Philinidae

DISTRIBUTION

In California these apparently introduced species are known from Bodega Bay in the north to San Diego in the south. The species are of unknown origin. A species is also recorded here from Oregon.

PHOTO

Shells and gizzard plates of Philine from Bodega Bay, California, July 1998, sent by Michelle Chow. Scale = 10mm
UPPER: Species 1, Philine orientalis?.
LOWER: Species 2, Philine auriformis?.
PHOTOS: Bill Rudman.

RELATED TOPIC

Philine orientalis? from Hong Kong

In recent years species of Philine have become very abundant in shallow water grass beds and other soft bottom localities in California. They are assumed to be introduced from somewhere else most probably in ballast water and were initially identified as the New Zealand Philine auriformis but as is shown here there are at least two species. The one thought to be Philine auriformis from New Zealand is almost certainly not that species, and the other, which I suggested could possibly be Philine orientalis, cannot be positively identified with that species until the true identity of Philine orientalis is clarified. There is also possibly a third species.
SEE PAGE 2

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1998 (August 11) Philine spp. In California (PAGE 1). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/philcali

Copyright © Australian Museum, 1998-2010