Margaritidae
The Margaritidae are a family of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Trochoidea. The Margaritidae belong to the order Archaeogastropoda. The family Margaritidae was named by the French malacologist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck in 1801.
Common Names
These snails are known commonly as "margarite snails" or "top snails".
Characteristics
The shells of these snails are generally small, with a low, conical or turbinate shape. They are usually brightly colored, with a smooth or ornamented surface. The whorls are often rounded or slightly angled. The aperture is usually circular or oval, and the columella is often smooth. The operculum is usually thin and horny. The foot of the snail is relatively large and broad. The tentacles are short and blunt. The eyes are located at the base of the tentacles. Margarite snails are herbivorous and graze on algae.
Environment
Margaritidae are found in a wide variety of marine environments, including rocky shores, sandy beaches, and coral reefs. They are found in both shallow and deep water, and are distributed worldwide.
References
WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species Global Biodiversity Information Facility