Oliva sayana Ravenel, 1834 Lettered Olive
Distribution: North Carolina to Florida to Texas, Gulf of Mexico; Brazil. Size: 91 mm (4 in).
Description: Color yellowish-gray with irregular zigzag markings of purplish-brown, with 2 broad spiral bands of darker coloration on the body whorl; shape elongate-cylindrical; sculpture smooth; body whorl about 9/10 shell length; spire smooth, straight sided, flaring before body whorl to a keel bordering an incised, slender channel; aperture long and narrow; outer apertural lip sharp; siphonal band flattened; siphonal notch distinct; columella with few, strong, diagonal plicae.
Habitat: In sand, in inlets, and offshore to depths of about 46 m (150 ft). Depth range Oto 130 m (427 ft).
Remarks: Live animals are seen burrowing just below the surface of the sand. See Andrews (1977); Rehder (1981).
Synonym: O. sayana texana Petuch and Sargent, 1986.