Mitridae

Last updated

Mitridae
Mitridae.jpg
Shells of a group of different species of mitrids
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Mitroidea
Family: Mitridae
Swainson, 1831
Genera

See text

Synonyms [1]
  • Pleioptygmatidae Quinn, 1989
  • Pleioptygmatinae Quinn, 1989· accepted, alternate representation

Mitridae, known as mitres or mitre shells, are a taxonomic family of sea snails, widely distributed marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Mitroidea. [1]

Contents

Both the Latin name and the common name are taken from the item of ecclesiastical headgear, the mitre or miter, used in reference to the elongated and slender shape of the shells.

These shells often exhibit intricate and colorful patterns, ranging from intricate spirals to bold geometric designs. The aperture of the shell is typically narrow, and the columella, the central axis of the shell, may be smooth or possess ridges.

The dentition of radula in the Mitroidea is rachiglossate, with well-developed central and lateral teeth, both comb-like.

Members of this family are carnivorous predators. [2] Their elongated proboscis aids in reaching and capturing prey (worms, small crustaceans, and other molluscs).They play a role in enriching marine ecosystems by contributing to the regulation of prey populations.

Distribution

These sea snails are found in most warm and temperate seas, with notable concentrations in the Indo-Pacific region. They inhabit coral reefs, sandy bottoms, and rocky substrates.

Subfamilies and genera

Subfamilies and genera in the family Mitridae include: [1] [3]

Genera brought into synonymy

Related Research Articles

<i>Mitra</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Mitra is a large genus of medium to large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mitridae, the miter shells or mitre snails.

<i>Scabricola olivaeformis</i> Species of gastropod

Scabricola olivaeformis, common name the olive-shaped mitre, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mitridae, the miter shells or miter snails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Costellariidae</span> Family of sea snails

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.

<i>Imbricaria</i> Genus of gastropods

Imbricaria is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mitridae, the miters or miter snails.

<i>Strigatella aurantia</i> Species of gastropod

Strigatella aurantia is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mitridae, the miters or miter snails.

<i>Strigatella fulvescens</i> Species of gastropod

Strigatella fulvescens, the tawny mitre, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mitridae, the miters or miter snails.

<i>Swainsonia newcombii</i> Species of gastropod

Swainsonia newcombii, common name Newcomb's mitre, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mitridae, the miters or miter snails.

<i>Swainsonia ocellata</i> Species of gastropod

Swainsonia ocellata, common name the eyed mitre, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Mitridae, the miters or miter snails.

<i>Cancilla</i> Genus of gastropods

Cancilla is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mitridae.

<i>Strigatella</i> Genus of gastropods

Strigatella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Strigatellinae of the family Mitridae.

<i>Domiporta</i> Genus of gastropods

Domiporta is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mitridae.

<i>Neocancilla</i> Genus of gastropods

Neocancilla is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Imbricariinae of the family Mitridae.

<i>Pterygia</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Pterygia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Cylindromitrinae of the family Mitridae.

<i>Pusia</i> Genus of gastropods

Pusia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Costellariidae.

<i>Scabricola</i> Genus of gastropods

Scabricola is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Mitridae.

<i>Subcancilla</i> Genus of gastropods

Subcancilla is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Isarinae of the family Mitridae.

<i>Swainsonia</i> Genus of gastropods

Swainsonia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Imbricariinae of the family Mitridae.

<i>Ziba</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Ziba is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Mitrinae of the family Mitridae.

<i>Nebularia</i> Genus of gastropods

Nebularia is a genus of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Cylindromitrinae within the family of Mitridae. This name was originally proposed as a subgenus of the genus Mitra. The type species of this genus is Mitra contractaSwainson, 1820.

Mitrinae, known as mitre shells, are a taxonomic subfamily of sea snails, widely distributed marine gastropod molluscs in the family Mitridae.

References

  1. 1 2 3 MolluscaBase (2018). Mitridae Swainson, 1831. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=23073 on 2018-03-04
  2. ↑ Ponder, Winston Frank; Lindberg, David R.; Ponder, Juliet Mary (2019). Biology and Evolution of the Mollusca. CRC Press. p. 1934. ISBN   978-1-351-11564-3.
  3. ↑ Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN   0-00-216906-1
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.