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Phanerophthalmus smaragdinus (Rueppell & Leuckart, 1828) [Cryptophthalmus]
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Phanerophthalmus smaragdinus is characterized by the cream body, densely flecked with olive green.
It has a translucent shell with a greatly expanded aperture and an outer lip that projects well above the apex.
The shell is external but only about 1/8 the length of the animal and almost completely covered by the parapodia.
The headshield of Phanerophthalmus smaragdinus is proportionally very small, the posterior shield and enclosed mantle cavity is an equally small remnant at the posterior end of the body.
The genus Phanerophthalmus has a remarkable resemblance to members of the family Aglajidae, and until quite recently was considered to be a member of that family. It is an herbivorous opisthobranch, closely related to the genus Haminoea, with a similar radula and gizzard plates.
More informations on Phanerophthalmus smaragdinus are at
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