MARGINELLAS
Most shells in this family are really tiny. Compared to the majority of marginellas, the depicted species can all be considered large. Here are also my favorite; selected because they display conspicuous colors and patterns. Marginellas are one of my favorite families. The shells are rounded and smooth, with strong columellar folds and thick outer margin, and above all, a naturally glossy surface.
Bullata guerrinii
Souza & Covert, 2001
33mm. Itamaraju, Bahia State, Brazil.
RARE - A medium-sized, inflated species, with two beautiful forms: a pink one and a "brown one" represented by this shell.












Bullata lilacina
Sowerby, G.B. II, 1846
22.3mm. Camocim, Ceara, Brazil
UNCOMMON - stunning deep dark magenta when fresh, this color fades with time. This species is a common meal for octopusses.
Bullata matthewsi
Mol, J.G. van & B. Tursch, 1967
47.6mm. Camocim, Ceara, Brazil
UNCOMMON - a large, globose marginella, with a glossy surface that resembles polished mahogany. This also comes from octopus den.
Cryptospira elegans
Gmelin, 1791
46.7mm. Ranong, Andaman Sea, Thailand
UNCOMMON - a large species that is usually trawled. Just stunning, with its slate gray body whorl and conspicuous burnt sienna lip.
Glabella mirabilis
Adams, H., 1869
29.6mm. Merka, Somalia.
UNCOMMON - A really superb, largish, heavily ribbed stocky species, this comes in hues of violet and has a crimson-peppered lip.
Glabella pseudofaba
Sowerby, G.B. II, 1846
36.4mm. South of Dakar. Senegal.
UNCOMMON - A large, ribbed, elongated and gorgeously sculptured species. This is military green, and evenly dotted with black.
Marginella mosaica
Sowerby, 1846
28.4mm. East London, South Africa.
RARE - An impressively patterned, medium-sized, super attractive species; which is only rarely found alive.
Marginella rubrovittata
Veldsman, Veldsman & Aiken, 2016
25.43mm. Xora, Transkei, South Africa.
UNCOMMON - Quite a variable species, the wine color form is probably the most attractive. Most shells are found beached.
Marginella sebastiani
Marche-Marchad & Rosso, 1979
52.5mm. Conakry, Guinea
COMMON - A really gorgeous, large species; This is a fully mature, thick, glossy, deep flesh colored shell, covered in perfect snow flakes.
Prunum carneum
Marche-Marchad & Rosso, 1979
18.8mm. Key Biscayne, Florida, USA.
UNCOMMON - When young I used to spend hours snorkeling for these; only ocassionally would a dead shell turn up. This is my best.
Prunum guttatum
Dillwyn, 1817
25.9mm. Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
COMMON - But not like the specimen in the picture! This one is huge, very dark and extremely attractive. Really special shell!
Persicula cingulata
Dillwyn, 1817
25.2mm. Nouadhibou, Mauritania.
COMMON - The pictured shell is kind of yellowish due to its habitat. It is also not the largest I´ve seen; but still a very nice shell.