''Cellana talcosa'', the talc limpet or turtle limpet is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

of true

limpet Limpets are a group of aquatic snails with a conical gastropod shell, shell shape (patelliform) and a strong, muscular foot. This general category of conical shell is known as "patelliform" (dish-shaped). Existing within the class Gastropoda, ...

, a marine

gastropod Gastropods (), commonly known as slugs and snails, belong to a large Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda (). This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, freshwater, and fro ...

mollusc Mollusca is a phylum of protostome, protostomic invertebrate animals, whose members are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 76,000 extant taxon, extant species of molluscs are recognized, making it the second-largest animal phylum ...

in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Nacellidae, which is one of the true limpet families. This species is endemic to the

Hawaiian islands The Hawaiian Islands () are an archipelago of eight major volcanic islands, several atolls, and numerous smaller islets in the Pacific Ocean, North Pacific Ocean, extending some from the Hawaii (island), island of Hawaii in the south to nort ...

, where its

common name In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often con ...

is ''koele'' or ''opihi ko'ele''. It is the largest limpet found in the Hawaiian islands and can reach in diameter.

Description

''Cellana talcosa'' is the largest limpet in Hawai'i, with a shell diameter of up to . Its shell has a rounded, dome-like shape and is adorned with delicate, radiating ribs. The shell has usually a thick build and is often covered in crustose coralline algae. The interior of the shell is a pristine white, while the animal's foot boasting a vibrant yellow hue.

Distribution and habitat

''Cellana talcosa'' is endemic to the

, though it is rarely seen west of Molokai. It can be found in the shallow waters of the lower intertidal zone, where it is submerged. This species is typically found on rocks that are frequently battered by powerful waves, up to 20 feet deep.

Human use and cultural significance

For Hawaiians, the ʻopihi holds significant cultural importance as a favored food source, often consumed raw or boiled. In addition to its culinary uses, the ʻopihi shell was utilized as jewelry, plant fertilizer, and a tool for scraping mi, a type of edible taro root. While men were typically responsible for fishing on coral reefs and offshore waters, women and children collected various molluscs, sea urchins, and seaweeds from intertidal and nearshore areas, including the highly prized ʻopihi. However, gathering wild ʻopihi can be incredibly dangerous, and is primarily done by women. A Hawaiian proverb translates to "the ʻopihi is a fish of death," highlighting the risks involved in collecting this delicacy from its wave-swept rocky habitat. In the past, Hawaiian ʻopihi collectors adhered to a set of regulations established by community resource managers known as konohiki. These regulations were designed to maintain robust ʻopihi populations by restricting the size, number, species, locations, and times of harvesting. Unfortunately, due to excessive harvesting and habitat degradation, ʻopihi populations have dwindled in modern-day Hawaiʻi.

References

* Severns, M. (2011). ''Shells of the Hawaiian Islands - The Sea Shells.'' Conchbooks, Hackenheim. 564 pp. page(s): 36 {{Taxonbar, from=Q3140616 Nacellidae Endemic fauna of Hawaii Molluscs of the Pacific Ocean Gastropods described in 1846