Miamira
Miamira is a genus of marine gastropods in the family Naticidae, commonly known as moon snails. These snails are characterized by their distinctive, smooth, and often glossy shells, which are typically white or cream-colored with a spiral pattern. Miamira species are carnivorous, feeding primarily on other mollusks, which they paralyze using a venomous radula.
Common Names
Miamira species are commonly referred to as "moon snails" due to their characteristically rounded shells. There are no other widely recognized common names for this genus.
Characteristics
Miamira snails are characterized by the following features:
- Shell: Smooth, glossy, typically white or cream-colored with a spiral pattern.
- Size: Small to medium in size, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter.
- Shape: Round, often with a slightly flattened spire.
- Operculum: A calcareous, multispiral structure that covers the opening of the shell when the snail retracts.
- Radula: A ribbon-like structure in the mouth, equipped with sharp teeth, used for rasping and capturing prey.
- Venom: Some species possess a venomous radula, which they use to paralyze prey.
Environments
Miamira snails are found in marine environments worldwide. They are typically found in shallow water, often on sandy bottoms or in seagrass meadows. They are known to burrow into the substrate, using their muscular foot to dig into the sediment.
References
For more information on Miamira, please refer to the following resources: