Cellana exarata

Cellana exarata, also known as the Hawaiian Blackfoot ʻopihi, is a species of true limpet, a group of marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nacellidae. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is a significant part of the local marine ecology and human culture.

Description

Cellana exarata is a medium-sized limpet with a shell that is typically 35-50 mm in length. The shell is conical and the color varies from black to brown. The interior of the shell is white with a blue or green hue.

Habitat and Distribution

The Hawaiian Blackfoot ʻopihi is found exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands. It inhabits the intertidal zone, particularly on wave-exposed rocky shores. The species is most abundant on the windward coasts of the islands.

Ecology

Cellana exarata is a herbivore, feeding primarily on algae that it scrapes off the rocks with its radula. It is a key species in the intertidal ecosystem, influencing the distribution and abundance of algae on the rocks where it feeds.

Human Use

The Hawaiian Blackfoot ʻopihi is a traditional food source for Native Hawaiians, who collect the limpets from the rocks at low tide. The species is also used in jewelry making.

Conservation

Cellana exarata is not currently listed as threatened or endangered. However, overharvesting and habitat loss due to coastal development pose potential threats to the species.

See Also

• Cellana
• Limpet
• Marine gastropods
• Hawaiian culture