| Clea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Clea bockii shell | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Family: | Nassariidae |
| Genus: | Clea A. Adams, 1855 [1] |
| Type species | |
| Clea nigricans A. Adams, 1855 | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
Quadrasia Crosse, 1886 | |
Clea is a genus of freshwater snails with opercula, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Anentominae of the family Nassariidae, a family, almost all of the rest of which are marine.
The members of this genus are known as assassin snails for their habit of eating other snails. They bury themselves and ambush their prey.[ citation needed ]
This genus was treated within family Buccinidae. It was moved to family Nassariidae in 2016. [3] It was classified in the newly established subfamily Anentominae within Nassariidae in 2017. [4]
Species within the genus Clea include: [2]
The following species are treated within the separate genus Anentome . Previously they were treated within the subgenus Anentome. [5]
Synonyms:
Clea consists of defined male and female genders and is not capable of gender change. It is unknown as to how to sex these animals. Both males and females seem to be the same size and shape. When a male and female mate, they lock together for 8–12 hours.
Like all snails in the clade Neogastropoda, snails in this genus are carnivorous. They feed on different types of worms and gastropods, often eating other, larger snails after burying themselves and ambushing their prey. [9]
Some members of this genus is a part of ornamental pet trade for freshwater aquaria. [10]
Turbonillinae is a subfamily of mostly minute parasitic sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Pyramidellidae, the pyrams and their allies.
The Buccinidae are a very large and diverse taxonomic family of large sea snails, often known as whelks or true whelks.
The Nassariidae, Nassa mud snails (USA), or dog whelks (UK), are a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Neogastropoda.
Herpetopoma is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs of the family Chilodontaidae.
Metaphos is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae.
Pyramidella is a genus of minute to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusk in the subfamily Pyramidellinae of the family Pyramidellidae, the pyrams and their allies.
Phos armillatus is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Nassariidae, the true whelks.
Nassarius simoni is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Nassariidae, the nassa mud snails or dog whelks.
Ilyanassa is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks.
Clea hidalgoi is a Southeast Asian species of freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Nassariidae, most of which are marine.
Clea nigricans is a species of freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Buccinidae, the true whelks, most of which are marine.
Clea wykoffi is a species of freshwater snail with an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Buccinidae, the true whelks, most of which are marine.
Buccinanops is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Buccinanopsidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks and the like.
Phrontis is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Nassariinae of the family Nassariidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks.
Oligohalinophila dorri is a species of brackish water snail, with gills and an operculum, a gastropod mollusk in the family Nassariidae, the nassa mud snails or dog whelks.
Nassodonta is a genus of brackish water snails, gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae.
Nassodonta insignis is a species of brackish water snail, with gills and an operculum, a gastropod mollusk in the family Nassariidae.
Nassodonta annesleyi is a species of brackish water snail, with gills and an operculum, a gastropod mollusk in the family Nassariidae.
Anentome is a genus of freshwater snails with opercula, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Anentominae of the family Nassariidae, a family, almost all of the rest of which are marine.
Oligohalinophila is a genus of freshwater snails with opercula, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Anentominae of the family Nassariidae. It is one of few freshwater species in this family, which is a predominately marine family.
Clea are whelks, most of which live in the sea. Like their marine relatives, Clea are opportunistic carnivores that feed on both live prey and carrion. Among the prey taken are snails, and it is this that has made them popular with fishkeepers. Clea stay partially hidden under the sediment, and if a snail slides past, then quickly (by snail standards) jump into action, chasing their prey and eventually subduing it.