Eulimidae
Eulimidae is a family of small, predatory sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Eulimioidea. These snails are typically found on the ocean floor, living as commensals or parasites on echinoderms, especially sea stars, brittle stars, and crinoids. They have a wide distribution, occurring in all oceans around the world.
Common Names
Eulimids are commonly known as "eulimid snails" or "echinoderm commensal snails".
Characteristics
Eulimid snails are characterized by their small size, typically ranging from a few millimeters to a centimeter in length. They have a distinctive, elongated, and often tapered shell, which is usually smooth and glossy. The shell may be white, yellow, or brown in color, and may have a spiral pattern.
Eulimids possess a well-developed radula, which is used for scraping food from their hosts. They have a unique feeding apparatus, adapted to the specific feeding strategies they employ. Some eulimids are ectoparasites, feeding on the tissues of their host, while others are commensal, feeding on debris or food particles near their host. Their diet can include the tissues and fluids of their hosts, including eggs, gametes, and blood.
Environments
Eulimids are found in a variety of marine environments, including shallow coastal waters, the deep sea, and hydrothermal vents. They are particularly common in areas where their host species are abundant.