Cellana nigrolineata (species of limpet)
A species of limpet found in Japan. The name literally means 'pine-needle shell', referring to the radial lines on its shell.
Cellana nigrolineata limpets attach to rocks in the intertidal zone.
Usually written in katakana; the kanji form 松葉貝 is rare.
Kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
Compound of 松葉 (matsuba, 'pine needle') + 貝 (kai, 'shellfish'), from the radial lines on the shell resembling pine needles.