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This specimen was identified by Clay Carlson and Patty Jo Hoff as Atys cylindrica at the Sea Slug Forum, thanks! Very similar is Atys debilis Pease, 1860 which differs by a narrower shell posteriorly and was described and known for a long time only from Hawaii. In a recent (26 September 2011) email wrote Clay Carlson: "The major criteria appears to be the slight posterior hook/extension of the last whorl of the shell." Wikipedia lists more than 50 species of Atys, and there are 13 species of Atys in IPN, pages 22-25: Gosliner, Terrence M., David W. Behrens & Ángel Valdés. 2008. Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs. Sea Challengers Natural History Books. Gig Harbor, Washington. 426 pp., I really don't know how to distinguish them. Aliculastrum cylindricum is in IPN as Atys cylindricus, many websites of shell-collectors use the name Aliculastrum cylindricum, many websites and UW-guides use the name Atys cylindrica, in a recent (26 September 2011) email wrote Clay Carlson: "Aliculastrum is fine for the genus." All species of the genera Aliculastrum and Atys are herbivorous, related to Haminoea and Phanerophthalmus. At present most species are tropical and have heavy well-calcified shells. In most cases the true foot is short and the shell extends a considerable distance beyond its posterior end. It is possible when more of the many tropical species are studied that they will be placed in other genera. More informations on Aliculastrum cylindricum as Atys cylindrica are at Bill Rudman's Sea Slug Forum! |
