Marginella is a very large genus of small tropical and temperate sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Marginellinae of the family Marginellidae, the margin snails. It is the type genus of the family.[1]
The shells of species in this genus are rounded, smooth and glossy, with a large aperture that appears to be toothed because it shows the edge of the columellar folds. In many species the shells are colorful. The glossy surface of the shell results from the fact that the mantle covers most of the shell when the animal is active. As is typical in the Neogastropoda, the animal has a long siphon. When the animal is active, the foot extends much further out than the edge of the shell.
As is also typical for the Neogastropoda, species in this genus are carnivorous and predatory.
Marginella means "little margin".
The shells of the species in this genus have spires which range from moderately elevated to flattened. The surface of the shell is glossy and porcellaneous, and it is often but not always colourful. The columella has four definite, subequal plaits on its anterior half. The outer lip is thickened, and generally denticulate inside, with distinct teeth or folds.[2] The siphonal canal is not deeply incised.
There is no operculum.
In the living animal, the mantle only partly extends over the shell when the animal is moving.
The head is bifurcated, with slender tentacles and eyes in small bulges lateral to the base of tentacles. The siphon is large and protrudes over the head. The foot is large and flat, and when it is extended is slightly longer than the shell.
This genus is found in tropical and temperate seas worldwide.
Species within the genus Marginella include:
Marginella cloveri
Barra, Brazil
Marginella aurantia
N´Gor, Senegal
Marginella bavayi
Senegal (Gorée Is.)
Marginella belcheri
South Western Sahara, Mauritania
Marginella carquejai
Praia Amélia, Namibe
Angola
Marginella cleryi
southern Mauritania
Marginella desjardini
offshore Dakar, Senegal
Marginella festiva
Almadies, Dakar, Senegal
Marginella gemmula
Saco Mar, Namibe, Angola
Marginella glabella
offshore Dakar, Senegal
Marginella goodalli
Dakar Harbour, Senegal
Marginella gloriosa
Western Sahara
Marginella huberti
off Luanda, Angola
Marginella liparozona
Annobón, Gulf of Guinea
Marginella luculenta
Saco Mar, Namibe, Angola
Marginella melvilli
Baía St. Antonio
Principe Is
Marginella orstomi
off Luanda, Angola
Marginella sebastiani
off Guiné-Bissau
Marginella simulata
Praia Amélia, Namibe
Angola
Marginella spinacia
Espraínha, S. Tomé Is.
Marginella undulans
Saco Mar, Namibe, Angola
Marginella bairstowi
Fishhoeck, False Bay
South Africa
Marginella cosmia
East London, South Africa
Marginella diadochus
Luderitz, Namibia
Marginella eucosmia
NE Port Elizabeth
South Africa
Marginella minuscula
Algoa Bay, South Africa
Marginella musica
Cape Agulhas
South Africa
Marginella ornata
Transkei, South Africa
Marginella peelae
f. beltmani
False Bay, S. Africa
Marginella piperata
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
Marginella piperata albocincta
Algoa Bay, South Africa
Marginella piperata lutea
Algoa Bay, South Africa
Marginella piperata strigata
East London, South Africa
Marginella rosea
Gansbaai, S. Africa
Marginella anna
Bazaruto Is., Mozambique
Marginella caterinae
off Hafun-Bay-north
Somalia
Marginella is a very large genus of small tropical and temperate sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Marginellinae of the family Marginellidae, the margin snails. It is the type genus of the family.
The shells of species in this genus are rounded, smooth and glossy, with a large aperture that appears to be toothed because it shows the edge of the columellar folds. In many species the shells are colorful. The glossy surface of the shell results from the fact that the mantle covers most of the shell when the animal is active. As is typical in the Neogastropoda, the animal has a long siphon. When the animal is active, the foot extends much further out than the edge of the shell.
A margin snail with its mantle partly covering the shellAs is also typical for the Neogastropoda, species in this genus are carnivorous and predatory.