Pilsbry’s Headshield Slug, Tubulophilinopsis pilsbryi

Though these tiny slugs are usually nocturnal and rarely seen, this  tiny bubbleshell (25 mm or 1″) was found floating mid-water in broad daylight.  It could have been injured as it took a lot to get it to settle into a niche in a sandy rock and to get a decent photo of it.  Their black and white pattern is striking and their headshield, used for plowing in the sand, is quite obvious in these photos.  Unlike their “look-a-like”, Tubulophilinopsis Sp. #1, this slug has a white foot and no irridescent greenish-yellow margin on the flaps. Please see Sea Slugs of Hawaii for further images and taxonomic history.  Found in North Kihei in 3 metres or 10 ft of water.

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