Oliva annulata is typically found in sand channels and patches on the atoll's seaward or on the tops of large shallow lagoon pinnacles. The World Register of Marine Species (WORMS) calls this a "nomen dubium" (doubtful name). Some references now call this Oliva amethystina, but as it is still widely known as A. annulata, we will leave it there for now.
Coloration can very from light to dark.
Little black eyes on white stalks extend out of the anterior end below the white siphon.
Many olives have a pointed piece of what appears to be mantle tissue extending back onto the shell from the top of the siphonal canal. It is very small in the one below.
The front of the foot looks well designed for digging.
When exposed on the surface, it wastes no time diving down into the sand.
Created 8 October 2010
Updated 8 August 2021