Ancillariidae

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Ancillariidae
Micrancilla longispira 001.jpg
Shell of Micrancilla longispira (specimen at the Smithsonian Institution)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Olivoidea
Family: Ancillariidae
Swainson, 1840
Genera

See text

Synonyms [1]
  • Ancillariinae Swainson, 1840
  • Ancillinae H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
  • Dipsaccinae P. Fischer, 1884
  • † Vanpalmeriinae Adegoke, 1977

The Ancillariidae is a taxonomic family of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Olivoidea. [1] [2] They are gastropods, which belong to the larger group of mollusks. This family is part of the superfamily Cypraeoidea, which includes cowries, a well-known group of sea snails.

Contents

Distribution and habitat

Ancillariidae species can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. They inhabit diverse marine environments, including coral reefs, sandy bottoms, and seagrass beds. [3]

Physical characteristics

Ancillariidae shells are elongated, cylindrical, and slightly curved. They have a smooth and glossy surface, with some species displaying prominent ridges or knobs. The shells exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns, from plain white or cream to vibrant and intricate designs. [4] [5]

Behavior and feeding habits

Ancillariidae snails are primarily nocturnal, being active at night to feed on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates. They use their specialized radula to scrape food particles from the substrate or graze on algae. During the day, they seek shelter in crevices or burrow in the sand to avoid predators and excessive sunlight. [6]

Reproduction

Reproduction in Ancillariidae involves separate sexes, with individuals being either male or female. [7] They release eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization takes place externally. The larvae develop into planktonic forms, drifting in ocean currents until they settle on the substrate and undergo metamorphosis into adults.

Genera

Genera within the family Ancillariidae include: [8]

Genera brought into synonymy

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conoidea</span> Superfamily of predatory sea snails

Conoidea is a superfamily of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks within the suborder Hypsogastropoda. This superfamily is a very large group of marine mollusks, estimated at about 340 recent valid genera and subgenera, and considered by one authority to contain 4,000 named living species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olive snail</span> Family of molluscs

Olive snails, also known as olive shells and olives, scientific name Olividae, are a taxonomic family of medium to large predatory sea snails with smooth, shiny, elongated oval-shaped shells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terebridae</span> Family of sea snails

The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a group or family of small to large predatory marine gastropods in the superfamily Conoidea.

<i>Amalda</i> Genus of gastropods

Amalda is a genus of medium-sized sea snails, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Ancillariidae, the olives and allies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitridae</span> Family of gastropods

Mitridae, known as mitre shells, are a taxonomic family of sea snails, widely distributed marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Mitroidea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nassariidae</span> Family of gastropods

The Nassariidae, Nassa mud snails (USA), or dog whelks (UK), are a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Neogastropoda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivellinae</span> Subfamily of gastropods

Olivellinae, are a subfamily of small predatory sea snails with smooth, shiny, elongated oval-shaped shells, in the family Olividae. The shells sometimes show muted but attractive colors, and may have some patterning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fasciolariidae</span> Family of gastropods

The Fasciolariidae, common name the "tulip snails and spindle snails", are a family of small to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Buccinoidea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivoidea</span> Superfamily of gastropods

Olivoidea is a taxonomic superfamily of minute to medium-large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the order Neogastropoda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babyloniidae</span> Family of sea snails

Babyloniidae is a taxonomic family of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks unassigned within the superfamily Neogastropoda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Costellariidae</span> Family of sea snails

Costellariidae sometimes called the "ribbed miters" is a taxonomic family of minute to medium-sized predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks. This family of snails is also sometimes referred to as Vexillum miters. The main family of miter shells however is Mitridae, a closely related group.

<i>Strigatella</i> Genus of gastropods

Strigatella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Strigatellinae of the family Mitridae.

<i>Pusia</i> Genus of gastropods

Pusia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Costellariidae.

<i>Ancilla ventricosa</i> Species of gastropod

Ancilla ventricosa is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ancillariidae, the olives and the like.

<i>Ancilla</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Ancilla, common name the ancillas, is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ancillariidae.

<i>Eburna</i> Genus of gastropods

Eburna is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ancillariidae.

Fulmentum is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Pseudolividae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benthobiidae</span> Family of gastropods

The Benthobiidae is a taxonomic family of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Olivoidea.

<i>Isara</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Isara is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mitridae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turbinelloidea</span> Superfamily of gastropods

Turbinelloidea is a superfamily of sea snails in the order Neogastropoda. It comprises the following families:

References

  1. 1 2 MolluscaBase (2018). Ancillariidae Swainson, 1840. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=993219 on 2018-11-21
  2. Bouchet, Philippe; Rocroi, Jean-Pierre; Hausdorf, Bernhard; Kaim, Andrzej; Kano, Yasunori; Nützel, Alexander; Parkhaev, Pavel; Schrödl, Michael; Strong, Ellen E. (2017). "Revised Classification, Nomenclator and Typification of Gastropod and Monoplacophoran Families". Malacologia. 61 (1–2): 352. doi:10.4002/040.061.0201. ISSN   0076-2997.
  3. Returning to the roots: morphology, molecular phylogeny and classification of the Olivoidea (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda) - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Radulae-of-Pseudolividae-A-B-and-Ancillariidae-C-I-A-Pseudoliva-sepimenta-MNHN_fig12_316733118 [accessed 18 Jun, 2023]
  4. Kantor, Yu & Fedosov, Alexander & Puillandre, Nicolas & Bouchet, Philippe. (2016). Integrative taxonomy approach to Indo-Pacific Olividae: New species revealed by molecular and morphological data. 26. 123-144.
  5. Returning to the roots: morphology, molecular phylogeny and classification of the Olivoidea (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda) Yuri I Kantor, Alexander E Fedosov, Nicolas Puillandre, Céline Bonillo, Philippe Bouchet
  6. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Ancillariidae Swainson, 1840". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  7. "Ancilla Lamarck 1799 - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  8. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Ancillariidae Swainson, 1840". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2018-10-09.