The spiny snail fulfills a vital role in the tidal reef ecosystem, cleaning up decaying plant matter and keeping the cycle of life moving on the reef.

Pomanekaea owiosis

Class: Gastropoda

Order: Mesogastropoda

Family: Pilidae

Genus: Pomanekaea

Distribution: Tropical regions.

Habitat: Reefs and shallow waters.

Food: Decaying plant matter.

Description: The spiny snail's spiny shell is a deterrent to predators, and as such the spiny snail does not face many threats from other animal life.