Ovulidae
Encyclopedia
Ovulidae, common name
s the ovulids, cowry allies or false cowries, is a family
of small to large predatory or parasitic sea snail
s, marine
gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Cypraeoidea, the cowries and cowry allies.
Ovulids are carnivorous molluscs that feed on polyp
s and tissues of Anthozoa
(as do the genera Cyphoma and Pseudocyphoma). They live on, and eat, soft corals and sea fan
s, and they are usually regarded as ectoparasites of these sessile
colonial organisms, to which they are anchored by a long and narrow foot. This extreme specialisation in their alimentary regime has caused important morphological modifications to their radula
.
with a very long aperture
and a very low or invisible spire
. The shell can be pyriform (shaped like a pear), ovate (egg-shaped) to sub-ovate, cylindrical or lanceolate (lance-shaped).
The shell is often monochromatic white, but in some species the shell is pink or reddish.
In a few species of ovulids, the shell quite closely resembles that of cowries. However in many other species, the shells are so elongate that they do not so much resemble the shells of that closely related family.
When these snails are alive, the mantle completely covers the shell almost all of the time. Pictures of living animals usually show the brightly colored and decorated mantle, which looks very different from the often rather plain, shiny surface of the shell.
The color patterns of the mantle closely resemble the color patterns of the host species. This is due to the phenomenon of "alimentary homochromy" (obtaining the same color as the host by feeding on the host). This phenomenon gives them a remarkable camouflage ability.
:
See also Schiaparelli et al. (2005).
and tribe Eocypraeini to family Eocypraeidae
both to family level based on morphological research of the radula
e, shell
and animal morphology
and the and molecular phylogeny research of the 16S ribosomal RNA
gene
. Subsequently he has established new subfamilies Prionovolvinae and Aclyvolvinae.
family Ovulidae
Subfamily Prionovolvinae Fehse, 2007
Subfamily Simniinae Schilder, 1925
Subfamily Ovulinae Fleming, 1828
Subfamily Aclyvolvinae
subfamily ?
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
s the ovulids, cowry allies or false cowries, is a family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of small to large predatory or parasitic sea snail
Sea snail
Sea snail is a common name for those snails that normally live in saltwater, marine gastropod molluscs....
s, marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Cypraeoidea, the cowries and cowry allies.
Distribution
The ovulids are a widespread family, occurring mostly in tropical and subtropical waters, with most species in the Indo-West Pacific region. But a few species live in temperate waters.Habitat
Polyp
A polyp in zoology is one of two forms found in the phylum Cnidaria, the other being the medusa. Polyps are approximately cylindrical in shape and elongated at the axis of the body...
s and tissues of Anthozoa
Anthozoa
Anthozoa is a class within the phylum Cnidaria that contains the sea anemones and corals. Unlike other cnidarians, anthozoans do not have a medusa stage in their development. Instead, they release sperm and eggs that form a planula, which attaches to some substrate on which the cnidarian grows...
(as do the genera Cyphoma and Pseudocyphoma). They live on, and eat, soft corals and sea fan
Sea fan
A gorgonian, also known as sea whip or sea fan, is an order of sessile colonial cnidarian found throughout the oceans of the world, especially in the tropics and subtropics. Gorgonians are similar to the sea pen, another soft coral. Individual tiny polyps form colonies that are normally erect,...
s, and they are usually regarded as ectoparasites of these sessile
Sessility (zoology)
In zoology, sessility is a characteristic of animals which are not able to move about. They are usually permanently attached to a solid substrate of some kind, such as a part of a plant or dead tree trunk, a rock, or the hull of a ship in the case of barnacles. Corals lay down their own...
colonial organisms, to which they are anchored by a long and narrow foot. This extreme specialisation in their alimentary regime has caused important morphological modifications to their radula
Radula
The radula is an anatomical structure that is used by molluscs for feeding, sometimes compared rather inaccurately to a tongue. It is a minutely toothed, chitinous ribbon, which is typically used for scraping or cutting food before the food enters the esophagus...
.
Shell description
Ovulids mostly have smooth shiny shellsMollusc shell
The mollusc shell is typically a calcareous exoskeleton which encloses, supports and protects the soft parts of an animal in the phylum Mollusca, which includes snails, clams, tusk shells, and several other classes...
with a very long aperture
Aperture (mollusc)
The aperture is an opening in certain kinds of mollusc shells: it is the main opening of the shell, where part of the body of the animal emerges for locomotion, feeding, etc....
and a very low or invisible spire
Spire (mollusc)
A spire is a descriptive term for part of the coiled shell of mollusks. The word is a convenient aid in describing shells, but it does not refer to a very precise part of shell anatomy: the spire consists of all of the whorls except for the body whorl...
. The shell can be pyriform (shaped like a pear), ovate (egg-shaped) to sub-ovate, cylindrical or lanceolate (lance-shaped).
The shell is often monochromatic white, but in some species the shell is pink or reddish.
In a few species of ovulids, the shell quite closely resembles that of cowries. However in many other species, the shells are so elongate that they do not so much resemble the shells of that closely related family.
When these snails are alive, the mantle completely covers the shell almost all of the time. Pictures of living animals usually show the brightly colored and decorated mantle, which looks very different from the often rather plain, shiny surface of the shell.
The color patterns of the mantle closely resemble the color patterns of the host species. This is due to the phenomenon of "alimentary homochromy" (obtaining the same color as the host by feeding on the host). This phenomenon gives them a remarkable camouflage ability.
2005 taxonomy
The following five subfamilies have been recognized in the taxonomy of Bouchet & Rocroi (2005)Taxonomy of the Gastropoda (Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005)
The taxonomy of the Gastropoda as it was revised by Philippe Bouchet and Jean-Pierre Rocroi is currently the most up-to-date overall system for classifying gastropod mollusks...
:
- Ovulinae Fleming, 1822
- tribe Ovulini Fleming, 1822 - synonyms: Amphiperatidae Gray, 1853; Simniini Schilder, 1927; Volvini Schilder, 1932
- tribe Eocypraeini Schilder, 1924 - synonym: Sulcocypraeini Schilder, 1932
- † Cypraediinae Schilder, 1927
- Jenneriinae Thiele, 1929 - synonym: Cyproglobinini Schilder, 1932
- Pediculariinae Gray, 1853
- Pseudocypraeinae Steadman & Cotton, 1943
See also Schiaparelli et al. (2005).
2007 taxonomy
Fehse (2007) have elevated subfamily Pediculariinae to family PediculariidaePediculariidae
Pediculariidae is a family of small to large predatory or parasitic sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Cypraeoidea, the cowries and the cowry allies...
and tribe Eocypraeini to family Eocypraeidae
Eocypraeidae
Eocypraeidae is a small family of large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Cypraeoidea, the cowries and cowry allies.The family Eocypraeidae consists mainly of fossil species, except for two species: Sphaerocypraea incomparabilis Briano, 1993 and an as yet undescribed species...
both to family level based on morphological research of the radula
Radula
The radula is an anatomical structure that is used by molluscs for feeding, sometimes compared rather inaccurately to a tongue. It is a minutely toothed, chitinous ribbon, which is typically used for scraping or cutting food before the food enters the esophagus...
e, shell
Mollusc shell
The mollusc shell is typically a calcareous exoskeleton which encloses, supports and protects the soft parts of an animal in the phylum Mollusca, which includes snails, clams, tusk shells, and several other classes...
and animal morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
and the and molecular phylogeny research of the 16S ribosomal RNA
16S ribosomal RNA
16S ribosomal RNA is a component of the 30S subunit of prokaryotic ribosomes. It is approximately 1.5kb in length...
gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
. Subsequently he has established new subfamilies Prionovolvinae and Aclyvolvinae.
family Ovulidae
- subfamily Prionovolvinae Fehse, 2007
- subfamily Simniinae Schilder, 1925
- subfamily Ovulinae Fleming, 1828
- subfamily Aclyvolvinae Fehse, 2007
Genera
Genera within the family Ovulidae include:Subfamily Prionovolvinae Fehse, 2007
- Adamantia Cate, 1973
- ArchivolvaArchivolvaArchivolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Archivolva include:* Archivolva clava * Archivolva kahlbrocki Lorenz, 2009...
F. Lorentz, 2009 - CalpurnusCalpurnusCalpurnus is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Calpurnus include:* Calpurnus verrucosus...
Montfort, 1810 - CarpisculaCarpisculaCarpiscula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Carpiscula include:* Carpiscula bullata * Carpiscula galearis Cate, 1973...
Cate, 1973 - CrenavolvaCrenavolvaCrenavolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Crenavolva include:* Crenavolva aureola * Crenavolva chiapponii Lorenz & Fehse, 2009...
Cate, 1973 - CuspivolvaCuspivolvaCuspivolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Cuspivolva include:* Cuspivolva allynsmithi * Cuspivolva bellica...
Cate, 1973 - DentiovulaDentiovulaDentiovula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Dentiovula include:* Dentiovula azumai * Dentiovula colobica...
Hinds, 1844 - Diminovula Iredale, 1930
- GlobovulaGlobovulaGlobovula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Globovula include:* Globovula cavanaghi * Globovula sphaera Cate, 1973...
Cate, 1973 - Habuprionovolva Azuma, 1970
- Lacrima Cate, 1973
- PrimovulaPrimovulaPrimovula is a genus of a marine gastropod mollusks in family Ovulidae....
Thiele, 1925 - PrionovolvaPrionovolvaPrionovolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Prionovolva include:* Prionovolva brevis Prionovolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Prionovolva...
Iredale, 1930 - ProcalpurnusProcalpurnusProcalpurnus is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Procalpurnus include:* Procalpurnus lacteus * Procalpurnus semistriatus...
Thiele, 1939 - ProsimniaProsimniaProsimnia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Prosimnia include:* Prosimnia boshuensis Cate, 1973* Prosimnia draconis Cate, 1973* Prosimnia korkosi Fehse, 2005...
Schilder, 1925 - Pseudosimnia Schilder, 1925
- RotaovulaRotaovulaRotaovula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Rotaovula include:* Rotaovula hirohitoi Cate & Azuma in Cate, 1973* Rotaovula septemmacula...
Cate & Azuma in Cate, 1973 - SandaliaSandaliaSandalia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Sandalia include:* Sandalia bridgesi Lorenz, 2009* Sandalia meyeriana...
Cate, 1973 - SerratovolvaSerratovolvaSerratovolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Serratovolva include:* Serratovolva dondani * Serratovolva luteocincta Celzard, 2008...
Cate, 1973 - Stohleroma Cate, 1973
- TestudovolvaTestudovolvaTestudovolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Testudovolva include:* Testudovolva ericae * Testudovolva nebula...
Cate, 1973
Subfamily Simniinae Schilder, 1925
- Cymbovula Cate, 1973
- CyphomaCyphomaCyphoma is a genus of predatory tropical sea snails, a taxonomic group of marine gastropod molluscs in the family Ovulidae, a family which is sometimes known as the false cowries or cowry allies.-Life habits:...
Röding, 1798 - DissonaDissonaDissona is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Dissona include:* Dissona reflexa Cate, 1973* Dissona tarasconii Bozzetti, 2007...
Cate, 1973 - Neosimnia Fischer, 1884 - synonym: Spiculata Cate, 1973
- Pseudocyphoma Cate, 1973
- Simnia Risso, 1826
- SimnialenaSimnialenaSimnialena is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Simnialena include:* Simnialena acuminata...
Cate, 1973
- Calcarovula Cate, 1973
- KurodavolvaKurodavolvaKurodavolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Kurodavolva include:* Kurodavolva wakayamensis...
Azuma, 1987 - Ovula Bruguière, 1789
- PellasimniaPellasimniaPellasimnia is a genus of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ovulidae, sometimes known as the false cowries and the cowry allies.-Species:...
Iredale, 1931 - PhenacovolvaPhenacovolvaPhenacovolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Phenacovolva include:* Phenacovolva aurantia Phenacovolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus...
Iredale, 1930 - TakasagovolvaTakasagovolvaTakasagovolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Takasagovolva include:* Takasagovolva gigantea Azuma, 1974* Takasagovolva honkakujiana...
Azuma, 1974 - VolvaVolva (mollusc)Volva is a genus of sea snails, specifically cowry allies or ovulids, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Volva include:* Volva brevirostris* Volva cumulata Iredale, 1931...
Röding, 1798 - XandarovulaXandarovulaXandarovula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Xandarovula include:* Xandarovula aperta * Xandarovula hyalina...
Cate, 1973
Subfamily Aclyvolvinae
- AclyvolvaAclyvolvaAclyvolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Aclyvolva include:* Aclyvolva granularis Ma, 1986* Aclyvolva lanceolata...
Cate, 1973 - Hiatavolva Cate, 1973
- KuroshiovolvaKuroshiovolvaKuroshiovolva is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae.-Species:Species within the genus Kuroshiovolva include:* Kuroshiovolva lacanientae Lorenz, 2009* Kuroshiovolva shingoi Azuma & Cate, 1971...
Azuma & Cate, 1971
subfamily ?
- AperiovulaAperiovulaAperiovula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ovulidae, the ovulids, cowry allies or false cowries.-Species:Species within the genus Apriovula include:* Aperiovula adriatica* Aperiovula juanjosensii...
Cate, 1973 - Delonovolva Cate, 1973
- Subsimnia
Further reading
- Dolin L. & Ledon D. (2002). "Nouveaux taxons et discussion de la systématique des genres correspondants d’Ovulidae (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda) de l’Éocène inférieur de Gan (France)". Geodiversitas 24(2): 329-347. PDF.