Gastropod

Melanella cumingii

• Group: Other
• For divers: safe

This small parasitic snail lives on sea cucumbers, latching onto a holothurian to feed, though it also turns up among rocks in tide pools. Its family has given up grazing for a life drawing nourishment from living hosts.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Mollusca › Gastropoda › Littorinimorpha › Eulimidae › Melanella

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 217252.