Philine confusa
Shell description
The thin shell is partly external with a smooth surface and a transparent colour. The shell is globose and the opening is wide and large. The shell is umbilicated. The size of the shell varies between 2.4–2.6 mm.
Animal description
The body is white, the head shield becomes narrower towards the hind of the animal and does not have a middle line, and the foot is large and reaches beyond the shell.
Anatomy
The radula consists of three outer lateral teeth and one inner lateral tooth on each side. It is uncertain if a central (rachidian) tooth is present. The gizzard is not surrounded by strong muscles and lack gizzard plates. The male reproductive system consists of two distinct parts, a tube like penis chamber and a short broad prostate.
Ecology
Found at depths between 55–219 m.
Geographical distribution
Only known from Norway, in Lofoten, North Western Norway, the Oslofjord, and the Bergen area.
Ventral view of shell (automontage picture), scale bar = 0.5 mm.
Dorsal view of shell (SEM), scale bar = 200 µm.
Male reproductive system (drawing), scale bar = 100 µm. Abbreviations: pc: penis chamber, pr: prostate.
Dorsal view of complete animal, scale bar = 0.5 mm.
Ventral view of complete animal, scale bar = 0.5 mm.
Right lateral view of complete animal, scale bar = 0.5 mm.
References
Ohnheiser LT og Malaquias MAE (2013). Systematic revision of the gastropod family Philinidae (Mollusca: Cephalaspidea) in the northeast Atlantic Ocean with emphasis on the Scandinavian peninsula. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 167(2): 273-326. DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12000.