Oliva carneola is very common at Kwajalein, found almost exclusively in fine sand on lagoon reefs at depth of 1 to 35m or more. This species has been divided up into a number of different subspecies, which mostly appear to based on shell color. Although those from Kwajalein are nearly all yellow to orange with one or two white spiral bands, other areas of the Indo-Pacific appear to host a wider range of colors and patterns. The variety from Kwajalein tends to have a couple of spiral ridges around the middle of the shell's body whorl. These Kwajalein specimens have been given the subspecific name kwajaleinensis.
The next two shots show a specimen with pronounced spiral ridges.
This species has a long flap of tissue that extends up onto the shell from the upper edge of the siphonal canal.
Here is a more brown color form of Oliva carneola, a rather unusual color for Kwajalein.
Created 8 October 2010
Updated 5 March 2020