Periwinkles & Their Relatives [Littorinimorpha]

Description

On rocky shores and seagrass edges, divers often spot small, spiral-shelled snails clinging to surfaces like living ornaments. Many species graze on algae and biofilm, so you may see them clustered where light and nutrients are best. Their shells can be surprisingly colorful, especially in clear, shallow water.

Families

Conch Shells

Strombidae

Charoniidae

Charoniidae

Taxonomy