Ficidae | |
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The shell of Ficus gracilis | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
Order: | Littorinimorpha |
Superfamily: | Ficoidea Meek, 1864 (1840) |
Family: | Ficidae Meek, 1864 (1840) |
Synonyms | |
Pyrullinae Swainson, 1840 Contents |
Ficidae, common name the fig shells are a family of medium to large marine gastropods. It is the only family in the superfamily Ficoidea.
According to taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi (2005) the family Ficidae has no subfamilies.
The shells of these snails are shaped rather like figs or pears, hence the common name.
The Ficidae were previously included in the Tonnaceae (now Tonnoidea) along with the Tonnidae and Cassididae. [1] [2]
The family is found worldwide, mostly in tropical and subtropical silt and mud covered neritic zones.
The shells of species in the Ficidae are thin but strong. They have a large aperture and a long siphonal canal, but an extremely low spire which does not protrude above the outline of the body whorl.
Fig shells very often have subdued spiral ribbing, and are subtly patterned in shades of very pale brown and beige.
Genera within the family Ficidae include:
The Clionidae are a family of sea angels, which are a group of pelagic marine gastropods.
Pyramidellinae is a taxonomic subfamily of minute sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Pyramidellidae, the pyrams and their allies.
Neritidae, common name the nerites, is a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized saltwater and freshwater snails which have a gill and a distinctive operculum.
The Vermetidae, the worm snails or worm shells, are a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Littorinimorpha. The shells of species in the family Vermetidae are extremely irregular, and do not resemble the average snail shell, hence the common name "worm shells" or "worm snails".
Hipponicidae, common name hoof shells or hoof snails, is a family of small sea snails, limpet-like marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Vanikoroidea.
Spectamen is a genus of small sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Solariellidae within the superfamily Trochoidea.
Amathinidae, is a taxonomic family mostly consisting of small and minute sea snails, marine heterobranch gastropod molluscs or micromolluscs in the superfamily Pyramidelloidea.
Lottiidae is a family of sea snails, specifically true limpets, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Lottioidea and the clade Patellogastropoda.
Solariellidae is a family of small sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Trochoidea.
Liotiidae is a family of small sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Vetigastropoda.
Ficus gracilis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ficidae, the fig shells.
Ficus is a genus of large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Ficidae, the fig shells.
Costellariidae sometimes called the "ribbed miters" is a taxonomic family of minute to medium-sized predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks. This family of snails is also sometimes referred to as Vexillum miters. The main family of miter shells however is Mitridae, a closely related group.
Ptychatractidae is a taxonomic family of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Turbinelloidea.
Pleuroploca is a genus of very large predatory sea snails with an operculum, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fasciolariidae, which includes the spindle shells, the tulip shells and other allied genera.
Ficus ficus or the paper fig shell is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ficidae, the fig shells.
Ficus investigatoris is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ficidae, the fig shells.
Ficus variegata, common name the true fig shell, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ficidae, the fig shells.
Ficus ventricosus, common name the swollen fig shell, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Ficidae, the fig shells.
Obtortionidae is a family of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Cerithioidea, that is within the clade Cerithimorpha or in clade Sorbeoconcha.