Vitreolina

Common Names

Common names for Vitreolina snails include "vitreoline snails," "glass snails," and "transparent snails."

Characteristics

Vitreolina snails are distinguished by their delicate, translucent shells, which are often marked with fine spiral lines or ribs. The shells are usually white or pale yellow, and they are often found in a variety of shapes, including conical, fusiform, and turreted. The shells of these snails are fragile and prone to breakage.

Vitreolina snails are generally small, with most species measuring less than 10 millimeters in length. Their bodies are soft and fleshy, with a well-developed foot and a pair of retractable tentacles. The snails are carnivorous, feeding primarily on other small marine invertebrates.

Environments

Vitreolina snails are found in a variety of marine habitats, including:

• Intertidal zones
• Shallow water reefs
• Seagrass beds
• Sand and mud bottoms

They are typically found in areas with moderate to high levels of salinity and dissolved oxygen. These snails are often found in association with algae and other marine organisms.

References

For more information on Vitreolina snails, please refer to the following references:

• WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species
• The genus Vitreolina (Gastropoda: Rissoidae) in the Indo-Pacific
• Molecular phylogeny of the Rissoidae (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda) with a focus on the genus Vitreolina