Home Acknowledgments Conventions Glossary Maps References Links Articles Thumbnails Species list Family Next species _______________   Additional Photos   underside   young, 3.6 mm   young, 4.5 mm   shell _______________   GALLERY	Limulatys(?) muscarius (Gould, 1859)   Maximum size:  4.5 mm. Identification:  This species has a relatively thick, translucent-yellow shell with strongly developed spiral striae on its apex and base. The columella is white with a prominent fold. Very young animals are yellowish decorated with white rosettes. As they mature, they darken to red-brown with red flecks and white rosettes. When fully mature, the rosettes are reduced to isolated dots. It may be distinguished from Unidentified Haminoeid #13 by its thicker shell and prominent spiral striae. Natural history:  Limulatys(?) muscarius is a moderately rare species found in rocky habitats at depths of  < 1 to 18 m (< 3 to 59 ft). It occurs at moderately protected to moderately exposed sites and shows a diurnal activity pattern when held in dishes. Distribution:  Maui, Molokai, Oahu, French Frigate Shoals and Midway. Probably widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific. Taxonomic notes: The shells of this species are very similar to the shells of Atys muscarius illustrated in Okotani's Marine Mollusks in Japan (2000). Atys tortuosa Reeve, 1878 may be a synonym. It's illustrated in Severns, 20ll as #10, plate 190 (misidentified in the caption as Hamineobulla kawamurai--caption switched with #8, plate 190: Limulatys muscarius). There is still some uncertainty regarding the genus. (Manuel Malaquais, pers. com.) Shells are present in various mixed lots at the Bishop Museum. Photo:  CP: 3.8 mm: Mala Wharf, Maui; July 22, 2005. Observations and comments: Note 1:  ( )
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