Nerita Picea, also called Black Nerite or Pipipi in Hawaiian, is a species of marine gastropod mollusc in the family Neritidae commonly found in clusters on the high part of the intertidal zone.[1][2] This species is found all throughout the Hawaiian coastline and is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.[1][3] In Hawai‘i black nerite are enjoyed as a snack when boiled.
Nerita picea | |
---|---|
Shell of Nerita picea (syntype at MNHN, Paris) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Neritimorpha |
Order: | Cycloneritida |
Family: | Neritidae |
Genus: | Nerita |
Species: | N. picea
|
Binomial name | |
Nerita picea Récluz, 1841
| |
Synonyms[1] | |
|
Nerita picea is a marine snail with an ovate shaped shell that is dark blue to black in color on the outside and internally white. Nerita picea range in size from 5-20mm when mature.[1] Nerita picea have a rather solid calcareous shell with little ridges that gives texture to the shell.
Nerita picea is a species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.[2]
The habitat of Black Nerite consists of the higher sections of the intertidal zone usually found in clusters in the crevices and pockets of the rocky shoreline.[4]
In Hawaiian culture, Nerita picea or Pipipi are often eaten boiled, as part of a soup, or eaten raw.[2]