Mitridae

Family of gastropods

Mitridae
Shells of a group of different species of mitrids
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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]

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]

  • Cylindromitrinae Cossmann, 1899
    • Nebularia Swainson, 1840
    • Pterygia Röding, 1798
    • †Wormsina Harzhauser & Landau, 2021
  • Imbricariinae Troschel, 1867
    • †Austroimbricaria A. M. Olivera & Camacho, 1992
    • Cancilla Swainson, 1840
    • Imbricaria Schumacher, 1817
    • Imbricariopsis Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
    • Neocancilla Cernohorsky, 1970
    • Scabricola Swainson, 1840
    • Swainsonia H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
  • Isarinae Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
    • Isara H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
    • Subcancilla Olsson & Harbison, 1953
  • Mitrinae Swainson, 1829
  • Pleioptygmatinae Quinn, 1989
  • Strigatellinae Troschel, 1869
  • [unassigned] Mitridae (temporary name)
Genera brought into synonymy
  • Acuticylindra Iredale, 1929: synonym of Pterygia Röding, 1798
  • Chrysame H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of Strigatella Swainson, 1840
  • Conoelix Swainson, 1821: synonym of Imbricaria Schumacher, 1817
  • Cylindra Schumacher, 1817: synonym of Pterygia Röding, 1798
  • Cylindromitra P. Fischer, 1884: synonym of Pterygia Röding, 1798
  • † Diplomitra Finlay, 1926: synonym of Eumitra Tate, 1889
  • Mauritia H. Adams, 1869: synonym of Nebularia Swainson, 1840
  • Mitroidea Pease, 1865: synonym of Nebularia Swainson, 1840
  • Mitrella Swainson, 1831: synonym of Swainsonia H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
  • Mutyca H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of Nebularia Swainson, 1840
  • Tiarella Swainson, 1840: synonym of Mitra Lamarck, 1798

References

  1. ^ a b c MolluscaBase (2024). "Mitridae Swainson, 1831". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  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
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mitridae.
  • Swainson W. (1829-1833). Zoological Illustrations, or original figures and descriptions of new, rare, or interesting animals, selected chiefly from the classes of ornithology, entomology, and conchology, and arranged according to their apparent affinities. Second series. London: Baldwin & Cradock. (Vol. 1-3)
  • Fedosov A., Puillandre N., Herrmann M., Kantor Yu., Oliverio M., Dgebuadze P., Modica M.V. & Bouchet P. (2018). The collapse of Mitra: molecular systematics and morphology of the Mitridae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 1-85
  • Miocene Gastropods and Biostratigraphy of the Kern River Area, California; United States Geological Survey Professional Paper 642 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Taxon identifiers
Mitridae
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