Olividae
Olividae, commonly known as olives, are a family of medium-sized to large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Olivoidea. The shell is typically smooth, glossy, and oval-shaped, resembling an olive, hence the common name. They are found in a variety of marine habitats worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
Characteristics
Olividae are characterized by their distinctive shell morphology. The shell is typically smooth, glossy, and oval-shaped with a pointed apex and a wide aperture. The outer lip of the aperture is thickened and often has a series of ridges or teeth. The columella, the central axis of the shell, is typically smooth and often has a spiral groove. The operculum, a horny or calcareous plate that covers the aperture, is small and oval-shaped.
Environments
Olividae are found in a variety of marine environments, including sandy bottoms, rocky shores, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows. They are typically found in shallow waters but can occur at depths up to 100 meters.
Feeding
Olividae are carnivorous and feed primarily on other mollusks, including other snails, clams, and worms. They use their radula, a ribbon-like structure with rows of teeth, to scrape and tear their prey.
Distribution
Olividae are distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. The family is particularly diverse in the Indo-Pacific region.
Genera
The family Olividae includes a number of genera, including:
- Oliva
- Agaronia
- Alia
- Amygdalus
- Ancilla
- Barnea
- Bursa
- Cypraea
- Eburna
- Erato
- Harpa
- Ilyanassa
- Marginella
- Mitra
- Nassa
- Olivella
- Terebra
- Trivia
- Volva
References
For more information on Olividae, please refer to the following resources: