Atys naucum

Atys naucum, common names the "white nut sheath bubble'" and the "Pacific nut sheath bubble", is a species of small tropical sea snail, a bubble snail, a marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusk in the family Haminoeidae, the haminoea bubble snails.[1]

Atys naucum
Five views of a shell of Atys naucum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia
informal group Opisthobranchia
clade Cephalaspidea
Superfamily:
Haminoeoidea
Family:
Haminoeidae
Genus:
Atys
Species:
A. naucum
Binomial name
Atys naucum
Synonyms[1]

Distribution

The distribution of this species occurs in the Indo-Pacific, off Madagascar, the Red Sea, and also in Australia. It is a common species.

Description

The length of the shell of this species is 22–50 mm. In life the shell is light brown and inflated. When the animal dies the periostracum which covers the shell dries out and is lost. Juveniles have brown wavy lines on the shell. This snail is a herbivore.

Drawing of a shell of Atys naucum

References
  1. Rosenberg, G. (2012). Atys naucum. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=215008 on 2012-06-07
  • Dautzenberg, Ph. (1929). Contribution à l'étude de la faune de Madagascar: Mollusca marina testacea. Faune des colonies françaises, III(fasc. 4). Société d'Editions géographiques, maritimes et coloniales: Paris. 321-636, plates IV-VII pp.
  • Rosenberg, G. 1992. Encyclopedia of Seashells. Dorset: New York. 224 pp. page(s): 117
  • Sea Slug Forum info showing live animals
  • NudiPixel image of live animal
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