Jean-Marie Gradot, La Reunion
Info
Asteronotus cespitosus van Hasselt, 1824
Asteronotus cespitosus is becoming a very big slug. It is usually found in intertidal zonees to a depth of 10m. They feed probably on sponge. The color varies from yellow to brown, but it was already some green-colored snails sighted. Actually, these snails are found in the entire Indo Pacific. But there are also reports of an occurrence in the Red Sea. The egg clutches of these large snails is also considerable. Marshall & Willanwrote that the clutch can grow to 11 cm in diameter and is speckled with pink.
Regarding his name it's noted that this snail is often referred to as Asteronotus caespitosus. In the book ""Rifführer Korallenmeer"" by Bob Halstead is described that the name A. cespitosus is an incorrect spelling and has already led to great amusing, but also false interpretations. However, this snail in the original text of the Discoverer (J. C. van Hasselt, 1824 ( we already have the original)), is described as cespitosa, not as caespitosa.
Contact may emit sulfuric acid which may cause skin peeling!
Synonymised names:
Asteronotus brassica Allan, 1932 · unaccepted
Asteronotus fuscus O'Donoghue, 1924 · unaccepted (uncertain synonym)
Asteronotus hemprichi Ehrenberg, 1831 · unaccepted
Asteronotus mabilla (Abraham, 1877) · unaccepted
Doris cespitosus van Hasselt, 1824 · unaccepted
Doris mabilla Abraham, 1877 · unaccepted
Jorunna marchadi Risbec, 1956 · unaccepted
Asteronotus cespitosus is becoming a very big slug. It is usually found in intertidal zonees to a depth of 10m. They feed probably on sponge. The color varies from yellow to brown, but it was already some green-colored snails sighted. Actually, these snails are found in the entire Indo Pacific. But there are also reports of an occurrence in the Red Sea. The egg clutches of these large snails is also considerable. Marshall & Willanwrote that the clutch can grow to 11 cm in diameter and is speckled with pink.
Regarding his name it's noted that this snail is often referred to as Asteronotus caespitosus. In the book ""Rifführer Korallenmeer"" by Bob Halstead is described that the name A. cespitosus is an incorrect spelling and has already led to great amusing, but also false interpretations. However, this snail in the original text of the Discoverer (J. C. van Hasselt, 1824 ( we already have the original)), is described as cespitosa, not as caespitosa.
Contact may emit sulfuric acid which may cause skin peeling!
Synonymised names:
Asteronotus brassica Allan, 1932 · unaccepted
Asteronotus fuscus O'Donoghue, 1924 · unaccepted (uncertain synonym)
Asteronotus hemprichi Ehrenberg, 1831 · unaccepted
Asteronotus mabilla (Abraham, 1877) · unaccepted
Doris cespitosus van Hasselt, 1824 · unaccepted
Doris mabilla Abraham, 1877 · unaccepted
Jorunna marchadi Risbec, 1956 · unaccepted
