Nassarius is a genus of marine molluscs. It belongs to the family Nassariidae.

Biology

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Nassarius are common inhabitants of warm seas and coral reefs in America, Asia and Pacific. They have oval shells with a long siphon (breathing organ). The main food of Nassarius are detritus and dead organisms. Some are carnivores.

Human uses

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Nassarius vibex is a species often grown in marine aquaria. The shells of many species are a popular collecting items.

Several beads made from Nassarius shells are thought to be the earliest known forms of jewelry. Two beads found in Skhul Cave on the slopes of Mount Carmel, Israel are thought to date to be 100,000 years old, while another found at Oued Djebbana, Algeria is believed to be 90,000 years old. These predate several 75,000 year old Nassarius beads found at Blombos Cave, South Africa some colored with red ochre, that were previously thought to be the oldest examples of jewelry. Study reveals 'oldest jewellery', BBC News, 22 June 2006

Notes and references

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Snails