Atys kuhnsi Pilsbry, 1917

Description

A small cephalaspidean with shell length about 10 mm. The shell is thin, light, translucent, and elongate-ovate. The soft body is translucent white with brown spots and scattered opaque white dots.

Distribution

Described from the Hawaiian Islands and widely distributed across tropical to subtropical western Pacific, including the Marshall Islands and Philippines. Found on algal beds at 5-15 m depth.

Remarks

A member of Haminoeidae (Cephalaspidea). Herbivorous, feeding on algae and plant detritus. Nocturnal, burrowing into sand by day. Some authors treat the form as juvenile Atys naucum, but it is more commonly regarded as a distinct species.

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References

• Oskars T.R., Too C.C., Rees D., Mikkelsen P.M., Willassen E. & Malaquias M.A.E. (2019). A molecular phylogeny of the gastropod family Haminoeidae sensu lato (Heterobranchia: Cephalaspidea): a generic revision. Invertebrate Systematics 33(3): 426-472.