The family Haminoeidae
(listed as Atyidae in some sources) includes small herbivorous
species with thin, and sometimes
reduced, external shells that lack elevated spires. Many burrow
and most are nocturnal although a few, such at Haminoea cymbalum, are diurnal.
Some
of the most common opisthobranchs in Hawaii are in this family though
they are seldom seen due to their cryptic coloration and burrowing
habits. About 32 species are known from Hawaii in about eight
genera (Atys, Diniatys, Hamineobulla, Haminoea, Liloa, Limulatys, Phaneropthalmus and Smaragdinella). Phaneropthalmus and Smaragdinella are sometimes placed
in a separate family, the Smaragdinellidae.
Atys kekele
Pilsbry, 1921 was described from fossil material and is not covered. It
appears to be close to the Indo-Pacific Atys cylindricus rather than Atys(?) debilis or Atys(?) sp. #3.
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