Shell: minute to small, ovate-conic, nonumbilicate, usually with strong, axial ribs (weak to absent on base), crossed by spiral cords or spiral cords predominate; axial ribs rarely absent; a few spiral cords prominent on base. Aperture oval, with or without very weak, broad excavation in rounded posterior corner, rounded anteriorly, with varix on opisthocline outer lip; peristome duplicated. Protoconch multispiral or paucispiral; if multispiral with netted microsculpture, if paucispiral with gemmate or smooth spiral keels; apex usually strongly tilted. Periostracum very thin or calcified.
Head foot: unpigmented, cephalic tentacles long, parallel-sided, foot not markedly constricted in middle as in Rissoa; posterior mucous gland apparently absent. Pallial tentacles present or absent, a metapodial tentacle present or absent.
Operculum: thin, oval, nucleus eccentric, last whorl large.
Development: direct or with planktotrophic larval stage.

Western Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean, eastern Pacific and Indo-Pacific.

The species included in Manzonia have a number of features in common and, as far as can be determined, appear to be a natural group that has been distinct from Alvania since at least the Oligocene. Species of Manzonia can be distinguished from most Alvania species by the duplicated peristome and strong, rather smooth basal spirals. The head-foot differs from that of Alvania in having one or no metapodial tentacles, in showing no pigmentation and in apparently lacking a posterior pedal gland. In the features of the head-foot, Manzonia has more in common with Onoba, from which it differs in its Alvania-like sculpture and duplicated peristome.