Description
The Raphitomidae is the largest, most diverse and most variable taxon in the Conoidea, with the greatest number of species and the largest ecological range (from the tropics to the pole) and largest vertical range (intertidal to hadal depths). [1]
The shells of species in the Raphitomidae are very variable in shape (buccinoid to ovate, elongate-fusiform, or high-cylindrical) and size (2 to 140 mm in height). Similarly, shell sculpture is extremely variable, from nearly smooth to well developed spiral and axial elements and subsutural ramps. Common morphology includes apertural armature rarely well developed, inner lip usually smooth, no operculum, radular tooth hypodermic in character with marginal teeth of variable morphology (including variable length). [1]
The muscular bulb of the venom gland is always single-layered. The close relationship of Raphitomidae with cone snails (which are already under intensive study for the pharmaceutical applications of their toxins), makes them an interesting candidate for the discovery of new toxins. [3]
Another characteristic is the multispiral protoconch, which shows spiral striae on protoconch I and diagonally cancellated ("raphitomine") sculpture on protoconch II. [4] [5]
Some species with a paucispiral protoconch are included in the family. This is usually based on similarities in shell morphology to species having a "raphitomine" protoconch. This determination should also ideally be founded on other attributes, such as the type of radula or foregut anatomy or their lack of an operculum. [6]
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