Ancillariidae | |
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Shell of Micrancilla longispira (specimen at the Smithsonian Institution) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
Order: | Neogastropoda |
Superfamily: | Olivoidea |
Family: | Ancillariidae Swainson, 1840 |
Genera | |
See text | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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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.
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]
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]
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 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 within the family Ancillariidae include: [8]
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.
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.
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.
Amalda is a genus of medium-sized sea snails, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Ancillariidae, the olives and allies.
Mitridae, known as mitre shells, are a taxonomic family of sea snails, widely distributed marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Mitroidea.
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.
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.
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.
Olivoidea is a taxonomic superfamily of minute to medium-large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the order Neogastropoda.
Babyloniidae is a taxonomic family of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks unassigned within the superfamily Neogastropoda.
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.
Strigatella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Strigatellinae of the family Mitridae.
Pusia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Costellariidae.
Ancilla ventricosa is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ancillariidae, the olives and the like.
Ancilla, common name the ancillas, is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ancillariidae.
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.
The Benthobiidae is a taxonomic family of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Olivoidea.
Isara is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mitridae.
Turbinelloidea is a superfamily of sea snails in the order Neogastropoda. It comprises the following families: