also: はちじょうたからがい
noun
chocolate cowry; humpback cowry
A species of cowry (Mauritia mauritiana) with a distinctive humped shell; also known as the chocolate cowry. The name ハチジョウダカラガイ refers to its association with Hachijō Island.
See also: 宝貝 (たからがい)
ハチジョウダカラガイは八丈島近海で見られる巻貝の一種です。
The chocolate cowry is a type of sea snail found in the waters around Hachijō Island.
このハチジョウダカラガイの殻はつややかな茶色をしている。
The shell of this humpback cowry is a glossy brown color.
宝貝 is the general term for cowry shells, while ハチジョウダカラガイ refers specifically to the chocolate cowry (Mauritia mauritiana).
The name combines 八丈 (Hachijō, referring to Hachijō Island) and 宝貝 (takaragai, 'cowry'), reflecting the species' association with the island. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.