Olive Shells of the Olivadae Family

Six Olive Shells of the Olivadae Family can be found in this website:

Phylogeny: Olive Shells of the Olividae Family are gastropod mollusks in the order Neogastropoda. Neogastropods are characterized by having a long siphon canal, a well-developed siphon notch, and a specialized radula. Many species in this order have a narrow aperture. Neogastropods are primarily marine snails and most of the well-known shell families are in this order. The superfamily Olivoidea is one of seven superfamilies in this order, and the Olividae Family is one of five families in superfamily Olivoidea. The Olividae Family fairly large, being comprised of five subfamilies, eleven genera, and around two hundred ninety-two species. Shells in this family are also commonly called Olive Snails and Olivids.

Description: Olive Shells are small to large-sized, solidly-built, shells with a cylindrical to fusiform (spindle-like) shape. The spire is short to moderately high and may be flat-sided, stair-stepped, or convex. The body whorl is large, with a long narrow aperture. The outer lip of the aperture is smooth and may be thickened. The columella is sculpted with folds toward the anterior.  Many species have a columellar callus. The anterior siphon canal is short and open, and they have a posterior notch.  The exterior is smooth, highly-polished, and often, vividly colored and patterned. Olive Shells lack an operculum or periostracum. The largest species in this family reach 13.5 cm (5.3 inches) in length.

Habitat and Distribution: Olive Shells are found on sand to mud substrates. They live in the intertidal zone and at depths up to 500 m (1,640 feet). Olive Shells are found worldwide in temperate to tropical seas. Twenty-five species from this family are found in Mexican waters.

Natural History: Olive Shells may be predators or scavengers. They feed on bivalves, crustaceans, echinoids, holothurians, other small invertebrates and carrion. They capture their prey by enveloping it with their foot. They are gonochoric and reproduce sexually with internal fertilization. The eggs are released in small capsules , which may be free-floating, partially buried, or attached inside bivalve burrows. Because of their beautiful color patterns, many species of Olive Shells are sought by shell collectors.