This is one of the most abundant marine mollusks in the West Indian region. The shell is generally solid and somewhat cone-shaped; the spire is moderately elevated, the whorls are rounded or sometimes shouldered; the surface is covered with strong, revolving ridges, though occasional specimens are nearly smooth, and it is marked by rather strong growth lines, which are most conspicuous between the ridges. The outer lip is thick and is somewhat shouldered and ascending above; it is decidedly thickened and incurved in the middle, and strongly toothed within throughout its length. The columella has six or eight teeth and is callous, and usually biplicate within. The color pattern is infinitely variable; often white and brown or white and yellowish brown in irregular longitudinal clouds or zigzags. In many cases the dark color is found only on the ridges in dots or lengthened markings, and there are often two or more ridges with darker markings than the rest, or white and dark markings arranged alternately. Length, 15 to 22; diameter, 10 to 15 mm.

Columbella mercatoria (Linnaeus, 1758) West Indian Dovesnail
Distribution: Texas to Florida to West Indies and to Brazil. Size: 24 mm (1 inch).
Description: Color variable, splotches of shades of brown, yellow, or white; shape broadly triangular with a pointed spire; sculpture of numerous spiral, rounded cords, crossed by fine axial threads; apex acute; aperture long, narrow, and curved; highly crenulate on inner area of outer and inner lips; siphonal canal abrupt and open. Habitat: Found in shallow grass beds, on coral, and behind rocks to a depth of about 81 m(265ft).
Remarks: Members of this species are variable in color and color markings, which is probably due in part to the type of algae on which they feed. See Radwin (1977); Rehder (1981).