Wrinkled Dove Snail, Wrinkled Amphissa – Amphissa columbiana

The Wrinkled Dove Snail, also known as the Wrinkled Amphissa, is a marine gastropod mollusk scientifically classified as Amphissa columbiana. This species is notable for its distinctive wrinkled shell and its role in the marine ecosystem as a scavenger and detritivore.

Description & Characteristics

The Amphissa columbiana boasts a small, ovate-shaped shell that typically measures around 10 millimeters in length. Its defining feature is the prominent, wrinkled surface, giving it a textured appearance. The shell color is typically a pale brown or grayish-white, often with darker brown markings or bands. This snail’s body is soft and fleshy, with a muscular foot that allows it to crawl along the seabed.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Wrinkled Dove Snail is a common inhabitant of the intertidal zone, where it is found amongst rocky shores and tide pools. This species prefers a substrate that provides crevices and hiding spots, often under rocks or amidst seaweed. Amphissa columbiana is a relatively tolerant species and can withstand a range of salinity and temperature fluctuations typical of this environment. The Wrinkled Dove Snail can be found in the lower intertidal zone, particularly in the mid- and upper portions of the sublittoral zone, a region characterized by its exposure to both sunlight and water.

Taxonomy

The Amphissa columbiana belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, and Family: Columbellidae. This family encompasses a wide variety of marine snails, known for their generally small size and diverse shell shapes. The Wrinkled Dove Snail is just one example of the fascinating diversity found within the Columbellidae family.

Feeding

The Amphissa columbiana plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem as a scavenger and detritivore. Its diet consists mainly of carrion, which it finds on the seabed, and detritus, decaying organic matter that settles from the water column. This feeding strategy makes Amphissa columbiana an important contributor to the breakdown and recycling of nutrients in the marine environment.