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Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Family Eulimidae
Parasitic
Snails
| Eulimids are white or semi-transparent snails that derive nutrition by
siphoning body fluids from various echinoderms.
Species of Balcis are difficult to identify according to shell
structure. |
Thyca crystallina
Echineulima
robusta
On Linckia, Palea Point, Oahu, 30 feet |
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PARASITIC CAP SHELL
| Glassy, ribbed, limpet-like shell attaches to sea
stars. Sucks bodily fluids from its host. Rarely seen.
The lump on the sea star's upper surface (underside in photo) indicates the
presence of an internal snail parasite, Echineulima robusta, an
endemic species. |
Balcis
aciculata
Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu |
Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu |
Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu |
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| Spire straight and whorls glossy and suture barely visible.
Common. Less than 1/2 inch. |
Balcis
bryani 
Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu |
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| Spire flexed and whorls are inflated, solid. Less than 1/2 inch.
Endemic to Hawaii. |
Balcis
cumingii
Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu |
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| The largest species in Hawaii, up to 1 inch. Spire is straight
and whorls are slightly inflated. |
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