Ancillariidae

{{Short description|Family of gastropods}} {{Automatic taxobox | taxon = Ancillariidae | image = Micrancilla longispira 001.jpg | image_caption = Shell of ''Micrancilla longispira'' (specimen at the Smithsonian Institution) | authority = Swainson, 1840 | synonyms_ref = <ref name="WoRMS" /> | synonyms = * Ancillariinae Swainson, 1840 * Ancillinae H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * Dipsaccinae P. Fischer, 1884 * † Vanpalmeriinae Adegoke, 1977 | type = | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = ''See text'' }}

The '''Ancillariidae''' is a taxonomic family of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Olivoidea.<ref name="WoRMS">MolluscaBase (2018). Ancillariidae Swainson, 1840. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=993219 on 2018-11-21</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bouchet|first=Philippe|last2=Rocroi|first2=Jean-Pierre|last3=Hausdorf|first3=Bernhard|last4=Kaim|first4=Andrzej|last5=Kano|first5=Yasunori|last6=Nützel|first6=Alexander|last7=Parkhaev|first7=Pavel|last8=Schrödl|first8=Michael|last9=Strong|first9=Ellen E.|date=2017|title=Revised Classification, Nomenclator and Typification of Gastropod and Monoplacophoran Families|url=https://www.bioone.org/action/captchaChallenge?redirectUri=%2Fdoi%2F10.4002%2F040.061.0201|journal=Malacologia|language=en-US|volume=61|issue=1-2|pages=352|doi=10.4002/040.061.0201|issn=0076-2997|url-access=subscription}}</ref> They are gastropods, which belong to the larger group of mollusks. This family is part of the superfamily Cypraeoidea, which includes cowries, a well-known group of sea snails.

== Distribution and habitat == Ancillariidae species can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. They inhabit diverse marine environments, including coral reefs, sandy bottoms, and seagrass beds.<ref>Returning to the roots: morphology, molecular phylogeny and classification of the Olivoidea (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda) - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Radulae-of-Pseudolividae-A-B-and-Ancillariidae-C-I-A-Pseudoliva-sepimenta-MNHN_fig12_316733118 [accessed 18 Jun, 2023]</ref>

== Physical characteristics == Ancillariidae shells are elongated, cylindrical, and slightly curved. They have a smooth and glossy surface, with some species displaying prominent ridges or knobs. The shells exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns, from plain white or cream to vibrant and intricate designs.<ref>Kantor, Yu & Fedosov, Alexander & Puillandre, Nicolas & Bouchet, Philippe. (2016). Integrative taxonomy approach to Indo-Pacific Olividae: New species revealed by molecular and morphological data. 26. 123-144. </ref><ref>[https://hal.science/hal-03921031v1/file/Kantor%20et%20al%202017.pdf Returning to the roots: morphology, molecular phylogeny and classification of the Olivoidea (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda) Yuri I Kantor, Alexander E Fedosov, Nicolas Puillandre, Céline Bonillo, Philippe Bouchet]</ref> thumb|Ancilla acuminata

== Behavior and feeding habits == Ancillariidae snails are primarily nocturnal, being active at night to feed on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates. They use their specialized radula to scrape food particles from the substrate or graze on algae. During the day, they seek shelter in crevices or burrow in the sand to avoid predators and excessive sunlight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Ancillariidae Swainson, 1840 |url=https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=993219 |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=www.marinespecies.org |language=en}}</ref>

== Reproduction == Reproduction in Ancillariidae involves separate sexes, with individuals being either male or female.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ancilla Lamarck 1799 - Encyclopedia of Life |url=https://eol.org/pages/58482 |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=eol.org}}</ref> They release eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization takes place externally. The larvae develop into planktonic forms, drifting in ocean currents until they settle on the substrate and undergo metamorphosis into adults. == Genera == Genera within the family Ancillariidae include:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=993219|title=WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Ancillariidae Swainson, 1840|website=www.marinespecies.org|language=en|access-date=2018-10-09}}</ref>

* ''Alocospira'' Cossmann, 1899 * ''Amalda'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * † ''Anbullina'' K. van W. Palmer, 1937 * ''Ancilla'' Lamarck, 1799 * † ''Ancillarina'' Bellardi, 1882 * ''Ancillina'' Bellardi, 1882 * ''Ancillista'' Iredale, 1936 * † ''Ancillopsis'' Conrad, 1865 * ''Anolacia'' Gray, 1857 * † ''Bearizia'' Pacaud, Merle & Pons, 2013 * ''Eburna'' Lamarck, 1801 * ''Entomoliva'' Bouchet & Kilburn, 1991 * † ''Eoancilla'' Stephenson, 1941 * ''Micrancilla'' Maxwell, 1992 * † ''Monoptygma'' I. Lea, 1833 * † ''Olivula'' Conrad, 1832 * † ''Palmoliva'' Allmon & Friend, 2023 * † ''Spirancilla'' H. E. Vokes, 1935 * ''Turrancilla'' Martens, 1903

;Genera brought into synonymy * ''Anaulax'' Roissy, 1805: synonym of ''Ancilla'' Lamarck, 1799 (unnecessary substitute name for Ancilla) * ''Ancillaria'' Lamarck, 1811: synonym of ''Ancilla'' Lamarck, 1799 (unnecessary substitute name for Ancilla Lamarck, 1799) * ''Ancillus'' Montfort, 1810: synonym of ''Ancilla''Lamarck, 1799 (invalid: unjustified emendation of Ancilla) * ''Anolacea'': synonym of ''Anolacia'' Gray, 1857 (misspelling) * ''Austrancilla'' Habe, 1959: synonym of ''Amalda'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Baryspira'' P. Fischer, 1883: synonym of ''Amalda (Baryspira)'' P. Fischer, 1883 represented as Amalda H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Chilotygma'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Ancilla (Chilotygma)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 represented as Ancilla Lamarck, 1799 * ''Dipsaccus'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Eburna'' Lamarck, 1801 * ''Exiquaspira'' Ninomiya, 1988: synonym of ''Amalda'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Gracilancilla'' Thiele, 1925: synonym of ''Ancillina'' Bellardi, 1882 * ''Gracilispira'' Olsson, 1956: synonym of ''Amalda (Gracilispira)'' Olsson, 1956 represented as Amalda H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Sandella'' Gray, 1857: synonym of ''Amalda'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Sparella'' Gray, 1857: synonym of ''Ancilla (Sparella)'' Gray, 1857 represented as Ancilla Lamarck, 1799 (original rank)

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:Ancillariidae Category:Olivoidea Category:Gastropod families