What we are considering Atys kuhnsi is rarely seen in the Marshalls. The specimen in the three photos immediately below was found on the night of 30 August 2008 on an eastern lagoon slope of Kwajalein Atoll, on sand in a patch of Halimeda algae. The shell measured 13mm in length. These animals are often thought to be young Atys naucum. We have similar specimens from Hawaii.
It is likely that the Atys below is the same species before development of the axial streaks of brown. The specimen below was found at Enewetak Atoll, on a lagoon sand flat at night at a depth of about 8 meters. The shell measured 13mm.
The three photos below show a specimen found at night on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon reef on 20 June 2009. It was crawling in sand near Halimeda at a depth of about 9m. Although lacking the color markings of the above specimens, we still assume these are all the same species.
Created 3 September 2008
Updated 28 June 2009