Favartia
Favartia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails. These snails are carnivores, feeding on other mollusks. They are found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Common Names
Common names for snails in this genus include:
- Murex snails
- Rock snails
- Oyster drills
Characteristics
Snails in the genus Favartia are characterized by their heavy, often spiny shells. The shells can be quite variable in shape and size, depending on the species. Most have a distinctive, elongated aperture. The shells of these snails are often covered in a thin layer of periostracum, a protective outer layer.
Environments
Favartia snails are typically found in intertidal and subtidal zones, living on rocky shores, reefs, and seagrass beds. They are also found on the seabed in shallow waters, with some species preferring sandy or muddy bottoms. Some species live as commensals, with other species of animals. These snails are usually found in the tropics and subtropics.
References
For more information on Favartia, see: