Southwest Florida Shells

by José H. Leal

Family Ellobiidae

Melampus monile

(Bruguière, 1789)

Caribbean Melampus

Shell size to 16 mm; shell ovate-conical, thin, bullet-shaped, widest at posterior (upper) third. Spire low. Aperture about ¾ of shell length. Columella with two folds, one larger. Outer lip smooth, but inner surface of aperture with about 12 raised spiral lines. Color mahogany-brown, with one broad, whitish spiral band below suture. Lives on marshy areas/mud flats.