Lottia asmi

Lottia asmi is native to the northeastern Pacific Ocean, its range extending from southern Alaska to the Revillagigedo Islands in Mexico. It is usually found in the intertidal zone living on the shell of the black turban snail (Tegula funebralis). It occasionally inhabits the shell of the California mussel (Mytilus californianus) or the speckled turban (Tegula gallina),^[2] or lives directly on a rock substrate, and on one occasion on a sponge. It favours living mollusc shells but has been found on shells occupied by hermit crabs.^[3]

L. asmi is a herbivore and grazes on the microalgae growing on the shell of its host. It may change from one host shell to another at low tide, when the turban shells tend to aggregate.^[2] At Pigeon Point, California, juveniles reach maturity at about eight months old. Reproduction is intermittent throughout the year, with possible spawning events in March and another in October as well as a prolonged spawning period in mid-summer. The larvae pass through a planktonic phase with a coiled shell before settling, undergoing metamorphosis and adopting the adult, conical shape. This is a fast growing species with a high reproductive output.^[3]