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Updated 3/29/2026

Family Columbellidae

Dove Shells

Small, attractive shells that are common in rocky environments where they feed upon algae or inverbrates, and empty specimens are often inhabited by tiny hermit crabs or found in beach drift.  Many species are highly variable in color, and identification remains a challenge.  Animals have been observed drifting using mucus threads.  Local color variants from the island of Ni'ihau are valuable when strung into lei.

 

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Euplica turturina

TURTLE DOVE SHELL

 

 Euplica varians

VARIABLE DOVE SHELL

 
Graphicomassa margarita

MARGARITA DOVE SHELL

 

 Euplica livescens

LAVENDER DOVE SHELL

Mitrella nympha

NYMPH DOVE SHELL

 

 Mitrella pudica

SHY DOVE SHELL

 
Mitrella loyaltyensis

LOYALTY ISLANDS' DOVE SHELL

 

 Mitrella rorida

RORID DOVE SHELL
Seminella peasei

PEASE'S DOVE SHELL

 

 Euplica ionida

ION DOVE SHELL
Anachis miser

MISER DOVE SHELL

 

 Zafra smithi

SMITH'S DOVE SHELL
Zafrona striatula

STRIATED DOVE SHELL

 

  
   

NORTHEAST PACIFIC

Amphissa columbiana

WRINKLED DOVE SHELL