alusilla

Alusilla is a genus of marine gastropods belonging to the family Columbellidae, commonly known as dove snails. The genus was first described in 1938 by malacologist William G. Fraedrich based on specimens collected from the coastal waters of the western Atlantic. Species of Alusilla are small, typically ranging from 5 to 12 millimetres in shell length, and exhibit a smooth, glossy shell with a short spire and a long, straight aperture. The coloration of the shells is usually pale cream or light brown, sometimes with subtle patterning of darker bands.

The type species of the genus is Alusilla marina, which is found along the east coast of North America from New Brunswick down to Florida, as well as occasionally in the Caribbean Sea. Other species reported under Alusilla include Alusilla alba and Alusilla nigra, though their validity has been questioned due to limited morphological differentiation and overlapping distributions. The genus is distinguished from closely related genera in Columbellidae by the presence of a narrow, elongated siphonal canal and specific radular tooth structure.

Ecologically, Alusilla species inhabit subtidal zones, often dwelling under rocks or within crevices of reef environments. They are detritivores, feeding on organic matter and small invertebrates. Their role in the benthic community includes participation in nutrient recycling and serving as prey for larger predators such as fish and octopuses.

Because of their small size and cryptic habitats, Alusilla species are seldom studied, and their life histories remain poorly understood. Further taxonomic and ecological research is necessary to clarify species boundaries and to elucidate their ecological functions within marine ecosystems.