Philine [Philine]

Description

Philine represents a genus of small to medium-sized sea slugs, belonging to the family Philinidae. These creatures are characterized by their head shield, which is used to plow through sandy and muddy substrates where they live and feed. Members of this genus possess a partially internal shell or are completely shell-less, with a body that is often translucent, allowing for the internal organs to be seen. They are predatory, feeding primarily on microorganisms and detritus found within their benthic habitats. The distribution of Philine species is global, found in a range of marine environments from shallow waters to deeper oceanic zones.