Philinopsis lineolata
(H. & A. Adams, 1854)

Order: CEPHALASPIDEA
Family: Aglajidae

DISTRIBUTION

Tropical Indo-West Pacific.

PHOTO

Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Up to 50mm long alive. June 1983.
PHOTOS: Bill Rudman.

The prominent bump on the head which can be easily seen on the top photo shows that Philinopsis lineolata belongs to the "Boridium" group of species with a long tubular proboscis which is discussed under Philinopsis gardineri.

As the lower photo shows, Philinopsis lineolata has quite a range in colour pattern.

References:
• Rudman,W.B., (1972). A comparative study of the genus Philinopsis Pease, 1860 (Aglajidae, Opisthobranchia). Pacific Science, 26: 381-399.
• Rudman,W.B., (1972). Structure and functioning of the gut in the Bullomorpha (Opisthobranchia). Journal of Natural History, 6: 547-560.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1998 (October 14) Philinopsis lineolata (H. & A. Adams, 1854). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/phillin

Related messages


Philinopsis lineolata in Malaysia

July 26, 2007
From: Nur Leena Wong

Dear Bill,

I found this in Tioman Island, Malaysia and I think it is Philinopsis lineolata, am I right?

Locality: Tioman Island, 15m, Malaysia, South China Sea, 1 June 2007, Sandy. Photographer: Leena.

Thanks
Nur Leena Wong.

halosin78@yahoo.com

Wong, N. L., 2007 (Jul 26) Philinopsis lineolata in Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20255

Dear Leena,
Yes this is P. lineolata.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jul 26). Comment on Philinopsis lineolata in Malaysia by Nur Leena Wong. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20255

Philinopsis lineolata from eastern Australia

May 16, 2003
From: Leanne & David Atkinson


Dear Bill,
We found these Philinopsis lineolata at Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, on the 2 Deember 2001, on the high tide during daytime.

They were in a sandy area at about 8m depth. Are we correct in our identification?

Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2003 (May 16) Philinopsis lineolata from eastern Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9883

Dear Leanne & David,
Yes this is Philinopsis lineolata. I have opied part of your photo alongside because it shows the rounded median ridge it has on its head. It is one of a group of Philinopsis which have a long muscular pharynx (buccal bulb). At times it seems to get a bit out of control and pushes out the head like this. Unlike P. cyanea and P. taronga, which have a large bulbous buccal bulb which they use to catch bubble shells, we have no idea what P. lineolata eats and how it uses its strange buccal 'tube'.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (May 16). Comment on Philinopsis lineolata from eastern Australia by Leanne & David Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9883