Terebridae
Encyclopedia
The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, are a group or taxonomic family
of small to large predatory sea snail
s, marine
gastropod mollusks.
These gastropods have extremely high spire
d shells with numerous whorl
s, and the common name
refers to the resemblance of their shells to rock drill
-type drill bits.
There are about 313 known species worldwide.
):
However, Terryn states that the subfamily Pervicaciinae would historically include solely the genus Duplicaria (and the genus Pervicaria, now included in Euterebra). The other genera would belong to the subfamily Terebrinae. Since there is no clear division and currently no taxonomic need the two subfamilies are nowadays no longer accepted.
s or screws. In that respect they share certain shell characters with the family Turritellidae
, the turret
shells.
One characteristic that distinguishes Terebridae from Turritellidae is the short anterior canal or notch in the aperture
of the shell. Terebridae shells also tend to have characteristically flattened versus convex whorls, and they often have one or two plaits
on the columella.
Numerous species in this family are grouped under either the Terebra
or the Hastula
genus, and a minority of species are placed in four other genera.
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of small to large predatory sea snail
Sea snail
Sea snail is a common name for those snails that normally live in saltwater, marine gastropod molluscs....
s, marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
gastropod mollusks.
These gastropods have extremely high spire
Spire (mollusc)
A spire is a descriptive term for part of the coiled shell of mollusks. The word is a convenient aid in describing shells, but it does not refer to a very precise part of shell anatomy: the spire consists of all of the whorls except for the body whorl...
d shells with numerous whorl
Whorl (mollusc)
A whorl is a single, complete 360° revolution or turn in the spiral growth of a mollusc shell. A spiral configuration of the shell is found in of numerous gastropods, but it is also found in shelled cephalopods including Nautilus, Spirula and the large extinct subclass of cephalopods known as the...
s, and the common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
refers to the resemblance of their shells to rock drill
Drill
A drill or drill motor is a tool fitted with a cutting tool attachment or driving tool attachment, usually a drill bit or driver bit, used for drilling holes in various materials or fastening various materials together with the use of fasteners. The attachment is gripped by a chuck at one end of...
-type drill bits.
There are about 313 known species worldwide.
Taxonomy
This family consists of two following subfamilies (according to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005Taxonomy of the Gastropoda (Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005)
The taxonomy of the Gastropoda as it was revised by Philippe Bouchet and Jean-Pierre Rocroi is currently the most up-to-date overall system for classifying gastropod mollusks...
):
- Terebrinae Mörch, 1852 - synonyms: Acusidae; Acidae Gray, 1853 (inv.)
- Pervicaciinae Rudman, 1969
However, Terryn states that the subfamily Pervicaciinae would historically include solely the genus Duplicaria (and the genus Pervicaria, now included in Euterebra). The other genera would belong to the subfamily Terebrinae. Since there is no clear division and currently no taxonomic need the two subfamilies are nowadays no longer accepted.
Shell description
The shells of the sea snails in this family are typically shaped like slender augerAuger
An auger is a drilling device, or drill bit, that usually includes a rotating helical screw blade called a "flighting" to act as a screw conveyor to remove the drilled out material...
s or screws. In that respect they share certain shell characters with the family Turritellidae
Turritellidae
Turritellidae, the tower snails, is a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Sorbeoconcha.These snails are filter feeders...
, the turret
Turret
In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification...
shells.
One characteristic that distinguishes Terebridae from Turritellidae is the short anterior canal or notch in the aperture
Aperture (mollusc)
The aperture is an opening in certain kinds of mollusc shells: it is the main opening of the shell, where part of the body of the animal emerges for locomotion, feeding, etc....
of the shell. Terebridae shells also tend to have characteristically flattened versus convex whorls, and they often have one or two plaits
Plait (gastropod)
A plait is an anatomical feature which is present the shells of some snails, or gastropods. This sculpture occurs often in the shells of marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Neogastropoda, but it is also found in some pulmonate land snails....
on the columella.
Numerous species in this family are grouped under either the Terebra
Terebra
Terebra is a genus of medium-sized, predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. Members of this genus do not have a radula.-Species:Species in the genus Terebra include:...
or the Hastula
Hastula
Hastula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Distribution:Species in this genus can be found in the Indo-Pacific Region, Australia and Tasmania.-Habitat and feeding habits:...
genus, and a minority of species are placed in four other genera.
Life habits
These snails are sand-dwelling carnivores which live in warmer waters. In most species, a venomous barb similar to that of the cone snails, (see Conidae), is used to stun and immobilize prey, which typically consists of various marine worms.Genera
Genera in the family Terebridae include:- AcusAcusAcus is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.The genus name Acus belongs to the Pisces. Therefore Acus Gray, 1847 is no longer accepted, since it is a junior homonym of Acus Lacépède, 1803...
H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 (synonym of Oxymeris) - CinguloterebraCinguloterebraCinguloterebra is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Description:Shell slender with a noded subsutural band. The variably decorated remainder of the whorls together appears as an ornamented belt.-Species:Species within the genus...
Oyama, 1961 - ClathroterebraClathroterebraClathroterebra is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Clathroterebra include:* Clathroterebra dedonderi...
Oyama, 1961 - Duplicaria Dall, 1908
- EuterebraEuterebraEuterebra is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Euterebra include:* Euterebra angelli Euterebra is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species...
Cotton & Godfrey, 1932 - GranuliterebraGranuliterebraGranuliterebra is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Granuliterebra include:* Granuliterebra bathyrhaphe...
Oyama, 1961 - HastulaHastulaHastula is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Distribution:Species in this genus can be found in the Indo-Pacific Region, Australia and Tasmania.-Habitat and feeding habits:...
H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 - HastulopsisHastulopsisHastulopsis is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Hastulopsis include:* Hastulopsis alveolata * Hastulopsis amoena...
Oyama, 1961 - ImpagesImpagesImpages is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Impages include:* Impages aciculina * Impages anomala...
E.A. Smith, 1873 - MyurellaMyurellaMyurella is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Myurella include:* Myurella affinis * Myurella cinctella...
Hinds, 1844 - OxymerisOxymerisOxymeris is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Oxymeris include:* Oxymeris albida * Oxymeris areolata...
Dall, 1903 - PellifroniaPellifroniaPellifronia is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Pellifronia include:* Pellifronia brianhayesi...
Terryn & Holford, 2008 - PerirhoePerirhoePerirhoe is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Perirhoe include:* Perirhoe cerithina * Perirhoe circumcincta...
Dall, 1908 - PristiterebraPristiterebraPristiterebra is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Pristiterebra include:* Pristiterebra bifrons...
Taki & Oyama, 1954 - StrioterebrumStrioterebrumStrioterebrum is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Strioterebrum include:* Strioterebrum arabellum...
Sacco, 1891 - TerebraTerebraTerebra is a genus of medium-sized, predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. Members of this genus do not have a radula.-Species:Species in the genus Terebra include:...
Bruguière, 1789 - type genus - TerenollaTerenollaTerenolla is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Terenolla include:* Terenolla pygmaea...
Iredale, 1929- Terenolla pygmaeaTerenolla pygmaeaTerenolla pygmaea is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Terebridae, the auger snails....
(Hinds, 1844)
- Terenolla pygmaea
Further reading
- Terryn Y. & Holford M. (2008). "The Terebridae of Vanuatu, with a revision of the genus GranuliterebraGranuliterebraGranuliterebra is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.-Species:Species within the genus Granuliterebra include:* Granuliterebra bathyrhaphe...
Oyama, 1961". Visaya Supplement 3 (Malacological Journal of Conchology, Inc., Cebu, Philippines).