Shell of Philinopsis taronga from N.Z.

December 23, 2004
From: Bill Rudman


Here are photos of the shell of Philinopsis taronga. The shell in Philinopsis is much less calcified than the shell in Melanochlamys as illustrated in a separate message [message #12805 ]. In Philinopsis only a narrow band along the upper edge (in photo)  is strongly calcified. [Note: in the animal, the shell sits with 'upper edge' facing posteriorly]. The rest of the 'shell' consists of a fragile, very thin, calcified layer over a corneous organic matrix. 

The photographed shell is in fact from the paratype of  Chelidonura aureopunctata Rudman, 1968 a very short-lived name I gave to new Zealand specimens of  Philinopsis taronga. I synonymised the name within 3 years after realising that existing generic distinctions in the Aglajidae were wrong, and that the published anatomical description of Philinopsis taronga was incorrect. It was a very useful lesson for me, early in my career, in how essential it is to treat the printed word with caution.

PHOTOS:  Paua Bay, Parengarenga Harbour, nthn New Zealand, 31 December 1966. Shell dimensions: 7 . 4 x 5.5 mm. [Paratype of Chelidonura aureopunctata ]. Photographer: G.W.Batt

  • Rudman, W.B. (1968) Three new species of the opisthobranch family Aglajidae from New Zealand. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand (Zoology), 10(23): 211-216
  • Rudman, W.B. (1972) A comparative study of the genus Philinopsis  Pease, 1860. (Aglajidae, Opisthobranchia). Pacific Science, 26(4): 381-99, 15 figs, 1 plate.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2004 (Dec 23) Shell of Philinopsis taronga from N.Z.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12804

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