Bolinus
Bolinus is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails. There is only one species in this genus, Bolinus brandaris.
Common names
Bolinus brandaris is commonly known as the murex snail, the rock snail, the purple dye murex, the banded murex, and the spiny murex.
Characteristics
The shell of Bolinus brandaris is a distinctive, elongated, conical shape with a pointed spire. It is typically 5 to 10 cm long, and has a strong, spiny ornamentation, especially along the shoulder. The color of the shell is variable, ranging from white to brown, with bands of purple or orange. The aperture (opening) of the shell is oval and has a sharp, pointed siphonal canal (a long, tube-like structure that extends from the base of the shell). The operculum (a hard, plate-like structure that covers the opening of the shell) is small and circular.
Environment
Bolinus brandaris is found in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Western Europe. It is a common species in shallow, rocky intertidal areas and subtidal zones. This species lives primarily on the bottom, feeding on algae and other invertebrates. The snails are usually found hiding in crevices and under rocks. These snails can tolerate a wide range of salinity, temperature, and water currents.