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COLUMBELLIDAE 221
Genus Anachis H. and A. Adams 1853
Anachis avara Say Greedy Dove-shell
New Jersey to both sides of Florida to Texas.
Plate 2566
% to V-y inch in length, moderately elongate, with about a dozen smooth
axial plications on the upper half of each whorl. Spiral, incised lines very
weak or absent, but strong at the base. Aperture narrow, a Httle less than
half the length of the shell. Weak, smooth varix present. The 3 nuclear
whorls are smooth and translucent-white. Next few whorls with numerous
axial riblets. Color yellowish brown to dark gray-brown over which may be
seen a faint pattern of irregular, white, large dots. Sometimes with darkbrown
specklings. 4 weak teeth inside inner lip. A very common low-tide
mark species.
Anachis obesa C. B. Adams Fat Dove-shell
Virginia to Florida, the Gulf States and the West Indies.
%6 to ^ inch in length, moderately wide, dull grayish with i or 2 subdued,
spiral brown bands in some specimens. Small, sharp axial ribs are nu-
merous; spiral incised lines numerous, not crossing ribs. There is a fairly
strong, occasionally knobbed, spiral cord immediately below the suture.
Varix large, smooth and rounded. Body whorl behind it usually smoothish.
Parietal shield faintly developed, but with a sharp edge. Inner wall of outer
lip with about 3 to 5 small teeth. The form ostreicola Melville from north-
west Florida is dark-brown and with stronger spiral threads or wider incised
lines. This is a common shallow-water species.
Anachis translirata Ravenel Well-ribbed Dove-shell
Massachusetts to northeast Florida.
Plate 25flF
Similar to avara, but with about twice as many axial ribs which run the
entire depth of each whorl, and with strong incised spiral lines throughout.
Outer lip with about a dozen tiny teeth. Color drab yellowish to brown, but
sometimes with wide, subdued, spiral bands of darker brown. Dredged commonly
just offshore usually from 2 to 20 fathoms.
Anachis penicillata Carpenter Penciled Dove-shell
San Pedro to Lower California.
1/5 inch in length, rather slender, with 6 whorls, of which the first 2
nuclear ones are smooth, the remainder with about 1 5 strong axial riblets per