Chubby Simnia Shell, Simnia avena

Chubby Simnia Shell, Simnia avena. Size: 2.2 cm (0.9 inches) x  0.8 cm (0.3 inches). Shell collected from within the estuary of the Magdalena Bay complex, Baja California Sur, October 2018. Collection, photograph and identification courtesy of Bob Hillis, Ivins, Utah.

The Chubby Simnia, Simnia avena (G.B. Sowerby I, 1833), is a gastropod mollusk that is a member of the Ovulidae Family of False Cowries. The shell is shorter and stouter than most Simnias, but it is still an elongated, narrow, thin (to the extent that some shells are translucent), spindle-shaped shell. The exterior of the shell may be smooth or marked with very fine, spiral, lines. The aperture is very long and it grows wider at its lower end. The shells vary in color and can be brownish-lavender, lavender, orange, rose or white. The canal ends are usually a darker yellow or orange. The Chubby Simnia shell reach a maximum of  2.4 cm (0.9 inches) in length and 0.9  cm (0.3 inches) in height.

Chubby Simnias are found attached to gorgonians at depths between 5 m (15 feet) and 76 m (250 feet). They range from Central California to Peru, including the Cocos and Galapagos Islands. They are found throughout the Sea of Cortez.

Synonyms include Delonovolva aequalis, Neosimnia avena, Neosimnia capitia, Neosimnia formicaria, Ovula aequale, Ovula avena, Ovula hordacea, Ovula lividum, Ovula simile, Simnia aequalis, and Simnia rufa.

Note:  the Chubby Simnia Sea Snail is currently presented within a sister Web-site, Mexican-fish.com under Mexican-fish.com/chubby-simnia,  and eventually will be moved to Mexican-marine-life.org, a website that is under construction.