| Zafra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shell of Zafra cinnamomea | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Buccinoidea |
| Family: | Columbellidae |
| Genus: | Zafra Adams, 1860 |
| Type species | |
| Zafra mitriformis A. Adams, 1860 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Zafra is a large genus of sea snails in the family Columbellidae, the dove snails. [1]
The shells are typically small. They are elongated and conical, often featuring sculptured patterns of fine ribs or spiral ridges. The aperture of the shell is usually narrow and elongated, with a distinct, but short siphonal canal. The shells are often adorned with intricate patterns, including coloration variations.
These gastropods are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical seas, inhabiting various marine environments such as rocky shores, sandy bottoms, and coral reefs.
Zafra snails are carnivorous predators. They use a specialized proboscis to capture and consume their prey. Once captured, the prey is immobilized, and digestive enzymes are secreted to break down the tissues for ingestion.
As of August 2020 [update] , there are about 80 species within the genus Zafra:
Mitrella is a genus of small sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Columbellidae, the dove shells or dove snails.
Pyrene is a genus of small sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Columbellidae.
Drillia is a genus of small sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Drilliidae.
Daphnella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Raphitomidae.
Pseudodaphnella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Raphitomidae.
Glyphostoma is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Clathurellidae.
Mangelia is a large genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mangeliidae.
Anachis is a large genus of sea snails in the family Columbellidae, the dove snails.
Columbella is a genus of small sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Columbellidae, the dove snails.
Seminella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Columbellidae, the dove snails.
Minolia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Solariellidae.
Vexillum is a genus of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Costellariidae.
Euchelus is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Chilodontaidae.
Eucithara is a genus of small to quite large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mangeliidae.
Rissoina is a large genus of minute sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks, in the family Rissoinidae.
Etrema is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Clathurellidae.
Ringicula is a genus of minute deepwater sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks belonging to the family Ringiculidae.
Acteocina is a genus of very small sea snails, bubble snails, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks in the family Tornatinidae, the canoe bubbles or chalice bubble snails.
Cythara is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mangeliidae.
Lienardia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Clathurellidae.
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