Carinate Dovesnail

Alia carinata

Carinate Dovesnail is a very small sea snail, with an adult shell size ranging from 6 to 11 mm in length. The shell can exhibit a pronounced keel, but this characteristic varies among individuals. Its coloration is also variable, presenting either a uniform hue or a pattern of multiple shades. This species inhabits the Eastern Pacific, specifically from Alaska down to Baja California, Mexico, and is often found in shallow waters, typically at depths of 0 to 5 meters. Preferred habitats include patches of algae, rocks, eelgrass, and especially surfgrass, where they can be observed among the giant kelp and other marine vegetation. In terms of diet, Carinate Dovesnail feeds on small invertebrates and organic matter found in its environment. This species does not engage in broadcast spawning, and its life cycle does not include a trocophore stage. Instead, it has a non-broadcast spawning method. Encounters with this snail during dives may reveal its unique defensive behaviors; it can detect predators through chemical cues in the water and may either flee or engage in combat by biting the predator's tube feet. Carinate Dovesnail has been recorded in various marine ecosystems. The conservation status of this species has not been evaluated by the IUCN, leaving its population status uncertain.