Columbella
Columbella is a genus of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Columbellidae. They are commonly known as “dove snails” or “columbellines” and are found in a variety of marine habitats worldwide.
Characteristics
Columbella snails are characterized by their small, oval-shaped shells with a pointed spire and a smooth or ornamented surface. The aperture (opening) of the shell is usually narrow and elongated, and the outer lip is often thickened and toothed. The columella (central axis of the shell) is usually smooth and curved. These snails vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters long, and their colors range from white to brown, gray, or orange, often with intricate patterns and markings. They are often found in shallow water, but some species can live in deeper water.
Environments
Columbella snails are typically found in a wide range of marine habitats, including rocky shores, sandy beaches, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows. They are often found in association with algae, sponges, and other invertebrates. Some species are also known to be commensal, living in association with other organisms, such as sea urchins or starfish.
Diet
Columbella snails are carnivorous, feeding mainly on other small invertebrates, such as polychaete worms, crustaceans, and other snails. They use their radula, a rasping tongue-like structure, to scrape food from surfaces or to drill into the shells of their prey.
Reproduction
Columbella snails are gonochoristic, meaning they have separate sexes. They reproduce by laying eggs, which are typically deposited in clusters or capsules attached to rocks, shells, or other substrates. The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae, which eventually settle on the seabed and develop into adult snails.