Olivellidae

Olivellidae, common name the "dwarf olives", are a family of small predatory sea snails with smooth, shiny, elongated oval-shaped shells. The shells sometimes show muted but attractive colors, and may have some patterning.

These animals are marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Olivoidea, within the clade Neogastropoda according to the taxonomy of Bouchet and Rocroi.

Taxonomy

This group was previously placed within the family Olividae, the olives. According to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi (2005) the family Olivellidae has no subfamilies.

Distribution

Olivella snails are found worldwide, in subtropical and tropical seas and oceans.

Habitat and habit

These snails are found on sandy substrates intertidally and subtidally. These snails are all carnivorous sand-burrowers.

Shell description

The shells are basically oval and cylindrical in shape. They have a well-developed stepped spire. Olivella shells have a siphonal notch at the posterior end of the long narrow aperture. The siphon of the living animal protrudes from the siphon notch.