Amalda booleyi
| Amalda booleyi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Shell of Amalda booleyi (specimen at the Natural History Museum, Rotterdam) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Ancillariidae |
| Genus: | Amalda |
| Species: | A. booleyi
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| Binomial name | |
| Amalda booleyi | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Ancilla booleyi Melvill & Sykes, 1897 (original combination) | |
Amalda booleyi is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ancillariidae, commonly known as olive shells or ancillariids.[1] This species was originally described from the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean.
Description
[edit]The shell of Amalda booleyi attains a length of 12.5 mm.[2] It exhibits an elongated, fusiform shape typical of the genus Amalda, with a glossy surface and a narrow, pointed spire. The shell likely features a smooth or faintly sculptured exterior, possibly with subtle spiral lines, and a thickened, calloused columella, characteristic of Ancillariidae. The original description notes its small size and includes an illustration (plate 13, figure 8), suggesting a polished, olive-like appearance.[2] Coloration is not explicitly detailed in accessible sources but may include shades of cream, brown, or olive, common in the family. The aperture is narrow and elongated, with a short siphonal canal.
Distribution
[edit]This marine species occurs off the Andaman Islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory of India, located in the eastern Indian Ocean.[1][2] Specific depth ranges or habitat preferences are not provided in the original description, but it is likely found in shallow coastal waters, typical of ancillariids.
Ecology
[edit]As a member of the Ancillariidae family, Amalda booleyi is presumed to be a carnivorous or scavenging gastropod, feeding on small invertebrates such as worms or other mollusks, which it locates in sandy or muddy substrates.[3] The glossy shell and thickened columella suggest an adaptation to life buried in soft sediments, a trait common among olive shells. Its habitat off the Andaman Islands likely includes sandy bottoms or reef-associated areas, though precise ecological data for this species is lacking.
Taxonomy
[edit]Amalda booleyi was originally described as Ancilla booleyi by James Cosmo Melvill and Ernest Ruthven Sykes in 1897, based on specimens collected from the Andaman Islands.[2] The species was later reassigned to the genus Amalda, reflecting taxonomic revisions within the Ancillariidae family. The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) recognizes it as a valid species under its current name, with Ancilla booleyi listed as the original combination.[1] The specific epithet "booleyi" likely honors a collector or contributor associated with the Andaman expedition, though this is not specified in the original text.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Amalda booleyi (Melvill & Sykes, 1896). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 28 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d Melvill, J.C.; Sykes, E.R. (1897). "Notes on a collection of marine shells from the Andaman Islands, with descriptions of new species". Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London. 2: 164–172. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ Wilson, B. (1993). Australian Marine Shells: Prosobranch Gastropods. Odyssey Publishing. pp. 242–243. ISBN 0646152254.
External links
[edit]- "Amalda booleyi (Melvill & Sykes, 1896)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- Original description in Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London