User:Parkerd8/Nerita picea

Nerita picea, also called Black Nerite or Pipipi in Hawaiian, is a species of marine gastropod mollusc in the family Neritidae. This species is found all through out the Hawaiian coastline and is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. In Hawai‘i black nerite are enjoyed as a snack when boiled.



Description
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. Nerita picea have a rather solid calcareous shell with little ridges that gives texture to the shell. The ridges create a spiral groove pattern on the outside of the shell. Nerita picea has a complex digestive system featuring seven unique cells working together with some supporting cells.

Distribution
Nerita picea is a species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Nerita picea can also be found in Indonesia and at Johnson Island.

Habitat
Commonly found in clusters on the high part of the intertidal zone. The habitat of Nerita picea consists of the higher sections of the intertidal zone usually found in clusters in the crevices and pockets of the rocky shoreline. They are nocturnal and move from their daytime refuge to feed during the night. Studies have shown that sea levels are rising which will reduce the amount of habitable shoreline for N. picea.

Human Use
In Hawaiian culture, Nerita picea or Pipipi are often eaten boiled, as part of a soup, or eaten raw. Nerita picea, along with Theodoxus neglectus, are also used for their shells to make lei.