The Ancillariidae is a taxonomic family of

sea snail Sea snails are slow-moving marine (ocean), marine gastropod Mollusca, molluscs, usually with visible external shells, such as whelk or abalone. They share the Taxonomic classification, taxonomic class Gastropoda with slugs, which are distinguishe ...

s, marine

gastropod Gastropods (), commonly known as slugs and snails, belong to a large Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda (). This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, freshwater, and fro ...

mollusc Mollusca is a phylum of protostome, protostomic invertebrate animals, whose members are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 76,000 extant taxon, extant species of molluscs are recognized, making it the second-largest animal phylum ...

s in the superfamily Olivoidea.MolluscaBase (2018). Ancillariidae Swainson, 1840. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=993219 on 2018-11-21 They are gastropods, which belong to the larger group of mollusks. This family is part of the superfamily Cypraeoidea, which includes cowries, a well-known group of sea snails.

Distribution and habitat

Ancillariidae species can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. They inhabit diverse marine environments, including coral reefs, sandy bottoms, and seagrass beds.

Physical characteristics

Ancillariidae shells are elongated, cylindrical, and slightly curved. They have a smooth and glossy surface, with some species displaying prominent ridges or knobs. The shells exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns, from plain white or cream to vibrant and intricate designs. Ancilla_acuminata

Behavior and feeding habits

Ancillariidae snails are primarily nocturnal, being active at night to feed on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates. They use their specialized radula to scrape food particles from the substrate or graze on algae. During the day, they seek shelter in crevices or burrow in the sand to avoid predators and excessive sunlight.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Ancillariidae involves separate sexes, with individuals being either male or female. They release eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization takes place externally. The larvae develop into planktonic forms, drifting in ocean currents until they settle on the substrate and undergo metamorphosis into adults.

Genera

Genera within the family Ancillariidae include: * '' Alocospira'' Cossmann, 1899 * '' Amalda'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * '' Ancilla'' Lamarck, 1799 * † '' Ancillarina'' Bellardi, 1882 * '' Ancillina'' Bellardi, 1882 * '' Ancillista'' Iredale, 1936 * '' Anolacia'' Gray, 1857 * '' Eburna'' Lamarck, 1801 * '' Entomoliva'' Bouchet & Kilburn, 1991 * '' Exiquaspira'' Ninomiya, 1988 * '' Micrancilla'' Maxwell, 1992 * '' Turrancilla'' Martens, 1903 ;Genera brought into synonymy * ''Anaulax'' Roissy, 1805: synonym of '' Ancilla'' Lamarck, 1799 (unnecessary substitute name for Ancilla) * ''Ancillaria'' Lamarck, 1811: synonym of '' Ancilla'' Lamarck, 1799 (unnecessary substitute name for Ancilla Lamarck, 1799) * ''Ancillus'' Montfort, 1810: synonym of '' Ancilla''Lamarck, 1799 (invalid: unjustified emendation of Ancilla) * ''Anolacea'': synonym of '' Anolacia'' Gray, 1857 (misspelling) * ''Austrancilla'' Habe, 1959: synonym of '' Amalda'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Baryspira'' P. Fischer, 1883: synonym of ''Amalda (Baryspira)'' P. Fischer, 1883 represented as Amalda H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Chilotygma'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Ancilla (Chilotygma)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 represented as Ancilla Lamarck, 1799 * ''Dipsaccus'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of '' Eburna'' Lamarck, 1801 * ''Gracilancilla'' Thiele, 1925: synonym of '' Ancillina'' Bellardi, 1882 * ''Gracilispira'' Olsson, 1956: synonym of ''Amalda (Gracilispira)'' Olsson, 1956 represented as Amalda H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Sandella'' Gray, 1857: synonym of '' Amalda'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Sparella'' Gray, 1857: synonym of ''Ancilla (Sparella)'' Gray, 1857 represented as Ancilla Lamarck, 1799 (original rank)

References

Olivoidea Gastropod families {{Ancillariidae-stub