Olivella
Olivella floralia Duclos, 1844
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Olivoidea
Family: Olividae
Subfamily: Olivellinae
Genus: Olivella
Swainson, 1831[1]
Synonyms
  • Dactylidia H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
  • † Lamprodoma Swainson, 1840 junior subjective synonym
  • Oliva (Olivella) Swainson, 1831 (original rank)
  • Oliva (Olivina) d'Orbigny, 1841
  • Olivella (Anasser) Absalão & Pimenta, 2003
  • Olivella (Dactylidella) Woodring, 1928
  • Olivella (Dactylidia) H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
  • † Olivella (Lamprodoma) Swainson, 1840 junior subjective synonym
  • Olivella (Macgintiella) Olsson, 1956 ·
  • Olivella (Niteoliva) Olsson, 1956· accepted, alternate representation
  • Olivella (Olivella) Swainson, 1831 ·
  • Olivella (Olivina) d'Orbigny, 1841
  • Olivina d'Orbigny, 1841

Olivella, common name the dwarf olives, is a genus of small predatory sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Olivellinae of the family Olividae, the olives. Olivella is the type genus of the family.[2]

Description

Adults in the Olivella species are usually quite small, hence the genus has the common name "dwarf olive". Species of Oliva are usually larger, but there are exceptions.

The shell of Olivella usually has a keel-like twist at the anterior end of the columella. The wall above it may be concave or have deep furrows. The inner lip can sometimes show a deep callus, and in many cases this extends over the parietal wall to the end of the aperture. This callus formation may extend to the spire but leave the suture open. Most species of Olivella have a thin, chitinous operculum, but this operculum is lacking in Olivella nivea, as is also the case in species of Oliva.

(Described as Lamprodoma) The spire is acuminate, elevated with the suture canaliculated. The inner lip is simple posteriorly, regularly and closely plicate at the fore part of the columella. The callus is moderate and restricted.[3]

(Described as Dactylidia) The spire is obtuse, covered with a thick deposit of enamel. The aperture is narrow and plicate. The inner lip has a large, thickened callus, produced at the hind part, and covering and concealing the spire.

Species

Species in the genus Olivella include:[2][4]

Species brought into synonymy

References

  1. ^ Swainson W. J. (1831). Zool. Illust. (2)2(13): plate 58.
  2. ^ a b WoRMS (2010). Olivella Swainson, 1831. In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. (2010) World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138274 on 2011-01-02
  3. ^ Adams, H. & Adams, A. (1853-1858). The genera of Recent Mollusca; arranged according to their organization. London, van Voorst. Vol. 1: xl + 484 pp.; vol. 2: 661 pp.; vol. 3: 138 pls
  4. ^ Olivella Swainson, 1831. ITIS, accessed 26 September 2009.
  5. ^ P. Lozouet. 1992. New Pliocène and Oligocène Olividae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) from France and the Mediterranean area. Contr. Tert. Quatern. Geol 29(1-2):27-37

External links

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