The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shellsorauger snails, is a familyofpredatorymarinegastropods in the superfamily Conoidea.[3] They have extremely high-spired shells with numerous whorls; their common name refers to the resemblance of their shells to rock-drill bits. More than 400 species are recently known worldwide.[2][4]
In 2019 there was a comprehensive revision of the taxonomy of the Terebridae by Fedosov, A. E.; Malcolm, G.; Terryn, Y.; Gorson, J.; Modica, M. V.; Holford, M.; Puillandre, N. in the Journal of Molluscan Studies, including the definition of new genera and the redistribution of many species to other genera.[4]
The shells of the sea snails in this family are typically shaped like slender augers 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 the genera TerebraorHastula, and a minority of species are placed in four other genera.
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.
Abretia H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of Oxymeris Dall, 1903 (invalid: junior homonym of Abretia Rafinesque, 1814; Abretiella is a replacement name)
Abretiella Bartsch, 1923: synonym of Oxymeris Dall, 1903
Acuminia Dall, 1908: synonym of Hastula H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
Acus Gray, 1847: synonym of Oxymeris Dall, 1903 (invalid: junior homonym of Acus Lacépède, 1803 [Pisces]; Oxymeris is a replacement name)
Brevimyurella Oyama, 1961: synonym of Punctoterebra Bartsch, 1923
Cinguloterebra Oyama, 1961: synonym of Terebra Bruguière, 1789
Clathroterebra Oyama, 1961: synonym of Myurella Hinds, 1845
Decorihastula Oyama, 1961: synonym of Myurella Hinds, 1844
Dimidacus Iredale, 1929: synonym of Terebra Bruguière, 1789
Diplomeriza Dall, 1919: synonym of Duplicaria Dall, 1908
Egentelaria Rehder, 1980: synonym of Hastula H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
Euterebra Cotton & Godfrey, 1932: synonym of Duplicaria Dall, 1908
Bratcher T. & Cernohorsky W.O. (1987). Living terebras of the world. A monograph of the recent Terebridae of the world. American Malacologists, Melbourne, Florida & Burlington, Massachusetts. 240pp
Terryn, Y. (2007). Terebridae: A Collectors Guide. Conchbooks & Natural Art. 59pp + plates.
Terryn Y. & Holford M. (2008). "The Terebridae of Vanuatu, with a revision of the * Granuliterebra Oyama, 1961". Visaya Supplement 3 (Malacological Journal of Conchology, Inc., Cebu, Philippines).
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
