Re: Philinopsis taronga from Jervis Bay

May 30, 2003
From: Sue Newson

Hi Bill,
In regards to Philinopsis taronga and its parapodia lying flat out, could that be because it was moving at the time? It was moving towards the other opisthobranch, Euselenops luniceps. The significance of this didn't occur to me until later when I read that they ate other opisthobranchs.
Sue

snewson@shoal.net.au

Newson, S., 2003 (May 30) Re: Philinopsis taronga from Jervis Bay. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10084

Dear Sue,
I am not sure why its parapodia were flattened. All aglajids normally have their parapodia close to their sides at all times. They have large mucus glands at the front of their head and when they are in muddy environments, the glands produce a tube of mucus through which they crawl. The fine particles of sediment stick to the mucus and so don't clog up the gills. If the parapodia are flattened out this mucus tube wouldn't work. It's possible the Philinopsis was following the trail of the Euselenops but I am not sure if it would try and eat it. You don't give any size information on the two animals so I can't really say if it would be physically possible. The Euselenops would need to be quite a bit smaller than the Philinopsis, because the Philinopsis feeds by ingesting whole animals. I don't know if species of Philinopsis eat pleurobranchs. I guess its possible. Normally they are reported to eat cephalaspidean bubble shells such as Bulla and Haminoea.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (May 30). Comment on Re: Philinopsis taronga from Jervis Bay by Sue Newson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10084

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