Selection: Philinopsis speciosa

Philinopsis speciosa Pease, 1860

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Philinopsis speciosa varies in colour from plain black to black with blue, white, yellow or brownish-yellow markings. Sometimes animals have a pale brown background colour. The posterior edge of the headshield has a tapering crest, which stands erect, and the body is cylindrical in shape. Species of Philinopsis are usually found burrowing through sand or mud.
Philinopsis speciosa is a widespread Indo-West Pacific species which has been identified in most places as Philinopsis cyanea, it was also originally posted on these pages as Philinopsis cyanea. Because Philinopsis speciosa is the older name, as well as the type of the genus, I replace the more commonly used Philinopsis cyanea.
Very similar, also very variable in colour and markings is the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean species Philinopsis depicta (Renier, 1807).
More informations on Philinopsis speciosa are at Bill Rudman's Sea Slug Forum!