ox-palate nerite; blotched nerite
A marine gastropod (Nerita albicilla) found in the Indo-Pacific. The name is a taxonomic designation; in everyday contexts, it is simply a type of small sea snail.
The ox-palate nerite is often found on rocky shores in the intertidal zone.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
Rare kanji spelling using 蜑 (ama, 'fisherman') and 小舟貝 (obunegai, 'small boat shell').
Rare kanji spelling using 海人 (ama, 'fisherman') and 小舟貝 (obunegai, 'small boat shell').
The Japanese name アマオブネガイ (ama-obune-gai) literally means 'fisherman's small boat shell', likely from the shell's shape. The exact origin is uncertain.