More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Molluscs of Zihuatanejo
PHYLUM MOLLUSCA
Dove Snail
Columbellidae (Family)
-Gastropods (Class Gastropoda)
-Caenogastropods (Subclass Caenogastropoda)
-Order Neogastropoda
-True Whelks and Allies (Superfamily Buccinoidea)
-Dove Snails (Family Columbellidae)
The Columbellidae are a diverse family of small marine gastropods commonly known as dove snails, named for the smooth, rounded shape of many of their shells. They occur worldwide in tropical and temperate oceans and are especially abundant in shallow coastal habitats such as coral reefs, rocky shores, tide pools, and sandy areas. Members of this family are generally active scavengers or omnivores. They move quickly over the substrate searching for organic debris, algae, or small animal matter.
Description
Columbellidae is a family of small marine gastropods commonly known as dove snails. Their shells are generally small, solid, and spindle-shaped to oval, with a relatively short spire and a narrow aperture that often has tooth-like folds or projections along the lip. Shells are frequently attractively patterned with spots, bands, zigzags, or mottling in shades of white, cream, brown, orange, and reddish-brown. Species vary considerably in shell shape and sculpture.
Range
Columbellidae has a worldwide distribution in tropical and temperate marine environments. Numerous species occur along the eastern Pacific coast from the Gulf of California and western Mexico south through Central and South America. Columbellid snails are present in the coastal waters around Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
Habitat
Dove snails are primarily found in shallow coastal environments, especially rocky shores, tide pools, reef flats, sandy areas, and spaces beneath rocks and coral rubble. Many species live among algae and seaweed or on mixed rocky and sandy bottoms, from the intertidal zone into shallow subtidal waters.
Diet
Columbellids have varied feeding habits. Many are scavengers and opportunistic omnivores that consume carrion, detritus, algae, and organic films, while some species actively prey on small invertebrates. Their radula allows them to scrape food from surfaces and process animal or plant material.