Velitis

Velitis is a genus of small, brightly colored marine snails belonging to the family Cypraeidae, commonly known as cowries. These snails are characterized by their ovate, glossy shells, which are often adorned with intricate patterns of spots, lines, and dashes. The shell aperture, a narrow slit on the underside of the shell, is typically lined with fine teeth. Velitis species are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, inhabiting coral reefs, rocky substrates, and sandy bottoms. They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae and other marine plant life. Reproduction in Velitis, as with other cowries, involves the release of eggs and sperm into the water, with the larval stage drifting in the plankton before settling to the seabed. While not as widely collected as some other cowrie species, the shells of Velitis are appreciated by shell enthusiasts for their beauty and diversity. Their small size and relatively cryptic nature make them less conspicuous than their larger cowrie relatives.