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Family Vermetidae

Worm Snails

Worm snails are suspension-feeding gastropods that have tubular uncoiled shells attached to the substrate.  Some aggregate to form reefs of their own, forming mats along the water's edge.  The aperture is razor-sharp causing painful cookie-cutter wounds if stepped on.

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HAWAII

Serpulorbis variabilis

VARIABLE WORM SNAIL

 

 Petaloconchus keenae

KEEN'S WORM SNAIL

 
Vermetus alii   

ALI'I WORM SNAIL

 

 

Dendropoma gregaria

GREGARIOUS WORM SNAIL

 

TROPICAL EASTERN PACIFIC

Serpulorbis squamigerus

WESTERN or SCALY WORM SNAIL