Atys naucum
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Order: CEPHALASPIDEA
Family: Haminoeidae
DISTRIBUTION
Common herbivorous bubble shell found throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific region.
PHOTO
UPPER: Pointe de Pandop, near Koumac, New Caledonia, 1 m, intertidal, hard substrate, algae, 19 October 1993, 38mm long shell, AM C200533. LOWER: Juvenile, with brown lines. Channel between Récif de l'Infernet & Barrier Reef, off Koumac, New Caledonia, 12m, In lagoon, grey sand, coral slabs , 20 October 1993, 1 specimen, AM C200564. PHOTOS: Bill Rudman.
RELATED TOPIC
Atys naucum is the large inflated white bubble shell found in tropical waters. The brown colour of the shell of living animals is a thin periostracum covering the shell. It soons dries and flakes off when the animal dies. In juveniles there are often sinuous thin brown lines across the shell. All species of Atys are herbivores.
Reference:
• Linnaeus, C. (1758) Systema Naturae, Ed. 10. Vol.1.
Rudman, W.B., 1998 (December 18) Atys naucum (Linnaeus, 1758) . [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/atysnauc
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