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Genus of gastropods From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 a type of genus family.[1]
| Marginella | |
|---|---|
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| A live individual of Marginella rosea | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Marginellidae |
| Subfamily: | Marginellinae |
| Genus: | Marginella Lamarck, 1799 |
| Species | |
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See text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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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 also 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:
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