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The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a
family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
of
predatory Predation is a biological interaction in which one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey. It is one of a family of common feeding behaviours that includes parasitism and micropredation (which usually do not kill ...
marine
gastropod Gastropods (), commonly known as slugs and snails, belong to a large Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda (). This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, freshwater, and fro ...
s in the superfamily
Conoidea Conoidea is a Taxonomic rank, superfamily of predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod Mollusc, mollusks within the suborder Hypsogastropoda. This superfamily is a very large group of marine mollusks, estimated at 340 recent valid gen ...
.Gofas, S. (2012). Terebridae. World Register of Marine Specie

2012-10-12
They have extremely high- Spire (mollusc), spired shells with numerous
whorl A whorl ( or ) is an individual circle, oval, volution or equivalent in a whorled pattern, which consists of a spiral or multiple concentric objects (including circles, ovals and arcs). In nature File:Photograph and axial plane floral diagra ...
s; their
common name In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often con ...
refers to the resemblance of their shells to rock-
drill bits A drill bit is a cutting tool used in a drill to remove material to create holes, almost always of circular cross-section. Drill bits come in many sizes and shapes and can create different kinds of holes in many different materials. In orde ...
. More than 400 species are recently known worldwide.Terryn, Y. (2007): ''A Collectors Guide to Recent Terebridae (Mollusca: Neogastropoda)''. 57 pp., 65 color plts. ConchBooks & NaturalArt, Hackenheim & Gent,
Fedosov, A. E.; Malcolm, G.; Terryn, Y.; Gorson, J.; Modica, M. V.; Holford, M.; Puillandre, N. (2020). Phylogenetic classification of the family Terebridae (Neogastropoda: Conoidea). Journal of Molluscan Studies, Volume 85, Issue 4, November 2019
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Taxonomy

This family consists of the following subfamilies (according to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005): * Terebrinae Mörch, 1852 - synonyms: Acusidae; Acidae Gray, 1853 (inv.) * Pellifroniinae Fedosov, Malcolm, Terryn, Gorson, Modica, Holford & Puillandre, 2020 (with de deep-water genera ''
Pellifronia ''Pellifronia'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Pellifroniinae of the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory mar ...
'' and ''
Bathyterebra ''Bathyterebra'' is a genus of marine snails, gastropod molluscs in the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory marine (ocean), marine gastropods in th ...
'') * Pervicaciinae Rudman, 1969 (with the predominantly Indo-Pacific genera '' Duplicaria'' and ''
Partecosta ''Partecosta'' is a genus of sea snails in the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory marine (ocean), marine gastropods in the superfamily Conoidea.Gof ...
''). 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.


Shell description

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 Turritellidae, with the common name "tower shells" or "tower snails", is a Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic family (biology), family of small- to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the Sorbeoconcha clade. They are filter feeders; ...
, the
turret Turret may refer to: * Turret (architecture), a small tower that projects above the wall of a building * Gun turret, a mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon * Optical microscope#Objective turret (revolver or revolving nose piece), Objective turre ...
shells. One characteristic that distinguishes Terebridae from Turritellidae is the short anterior canal or notch in the
aperture In optics, the aperture of an optical system (including a system consisting of a single lens) is the hole or opening that primarily limits light propagated through the system. More specifically, the entrance pupil as the front side image o ...
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 ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' or ''
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 These are ...
'', 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 Any worm that lives in a marine environment is considered a sea or marine worm. Marine worms are found in several different phyla, including the Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida (segmented worms), Chaetognatha, Hemichordata, and Phoronida. ...
.


Genera

Genera in the family Terebridae include:Gofas, S. (2010). Terebridae. In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. (2010) World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=160424 on 2010-04-01 * ''
Bathyterebra ''Bathyterebra'' is a genus of marine snails, gastropod molluscs in the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory marine (ocean), marine gastropods in th ...
'' Fedosov, Malcolm, Terryn, Gorson, Modica, Holford & Puillandre, 2020 * ''
Cinguloterebra ''Cinguloterebra'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. This genus is no longer accepted and has become a synonym of ''Terebra'' Bruguière, 1789 Description Shell slender with a node ...
'' Oyama, 1961 * ''
Clathroterebra ''Myurella'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species Species within the genus ''Myurella'' include: * '' Myurella affinis'' (Gray, 1834) * '' Myurella a ...
'' Oyama, 1961 * '' Duplicaria'' Dall, 1908 * ''
Euterebra ''Euterebra'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory marine (ocean), marine gastropods in t ...
'' Cotton & Godfrey, 1932 * ''
Gemmaterebra ''Gemmaterebra'' is an extinct genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae, the auger snails.MolluscaBase (2020). MolluscaBase. Gemmaterebra Cotton, 1952. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://w ...
'' Cotton, 1952 * '' Gradaterebra'' Cotton & Godfrey, 1932 * '' Granuliterebra'' Oyama, 1961 * ''
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 These are ...
'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * '' Hastulopsis'' Oyama, 1961 * † '' Kaweka'' Marwick, 1931 * '' Maculauger'' Fedosov, Malcolm, Terryn, Gorson, Modica, Holford & Puillandre, 2020 * '' Microtrypetes'' Pilsbry & Lowe, 1932 * † '' Mirula'' Palmer, 1942 * '' Myurella'' Hinds, 1844 * '' Myurellopsis'' Fedosov, Malcolm, Terryn, Gorson, Modica, Holford & Puillandre, 2020 * '' Neoterebra'' Fedosov, Malcolm, Terryn, Gorson, Modica, Holford & Puillandre, 2020 * ''
Oxymeris ''Oxymeris'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species Species within the genus ''Oxymeris'' include: * '' Oxymeris albida'' (Gray, 1834) * '' Oxymeris areolata'' (Link, 1807) * '' Ox ...
'' Dall, 1903 * ''
Partecosta ''Partecosta'' is a genus of sea snails in the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory marine (ocean), marine gastropods in the superfamily Conoidea.Gof ...
'' Dance & Eames, 1966 * ''
Pellifronia ''Pellifronia'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Pellifroniinae of the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory mar ...
'' Terryn & Holford, 2008 * '' Perirhoe'' Dall, 1908 * '' Pristiterebra'' Oyama, 1961 * '' Profunditerebra'' Fedosov, Malcolm, Terryn, Gorson, Modica, Holford & Puillandre, 2020 * '' Punctoterebra'' Bartsch, 1923 * '' Strioterebrum'' Sacco, 1891 * ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 -- type taxon * † '' Zeacuminia'' Finlay, 1930 Image:Cinguloterebra salisburyi 001.jpg, '' Terebra salisburyi'' Image:Clathroterebra mactanensis 001.jpg, '' Myurella mactanensis'' Image:Duplicaria kieneri 002.jpg, '' Duplicaria kieneri'' Image:Hastula strigilata 002.jpg, '' Hastula strigilata'' Image:Impages cinerea 001.jpg, '' Hastula cinerea'' Image:Myurella undulata 001.jpg, '' Myurellopsis undulata'' Image:Oxymeris maculata 01.JPG, ''
Oxymeris maculata ''Oxymeris'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species Species within the genus ''Oxymeris'' include: * ''Oxymeris albida'' (Gray, 1834) * ''Oxymeris areolata'' (Lin ...
'' Image:Strioterebrum plumbeum 001.jpg, '' Strioterebrum plumbeum'' Image:Terenolla pygmaea 001.jpg, '' Myurella pygmaea'' Image:Triplostephanus elliscrossi 001.jpg, '' Terebra elliscrossi''
;Genera brought into synonymy: * ''Abretia'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''
Oxymeris ''Oxymeris'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species Species within the genus ''Oxymeris'' include: * '' Oxymeris albida'' (Gray, 1834) * '' Oxymeris areolata'' (Link, 1807) * '' Ox ...
'' Dall, 1903 (invalid: junior homonym of Abretia Rafinesque, 1814; Abretiella is a replacement name) * ''Abretiella'' Bartsch, 1923: synonym of ''
Oxymeris ''Oxymeris'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species Species within the genus ''Oxymeris'' include: * '' Oxymeris albida'' (Gray, 1834) * '' Oxymeris areolata'' (Link, 1807) * '' Ox ...
'' Dall, 1903 * ''Acuminia'' Dall, 1908: synonym of ''
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 These are ...
'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Acus'' Gray, 1847: synonym of ''
Oxymeris ''Oxymeris'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species Species within the genus ''Oxymeris'' include: * '' Oxymeris albida'' (Gray, 1834) * '' Oxymeris areolata'' (Link, 1807) * '' Ox ...
'' Dall, 1903 (invalid: junior homonym of Acus Lacépède, 1803 isces Oxymeris is a replacement name) * ''Brevimyurella'' Oyama, 1961: synonym of '' Punctoterebra'' Bartsch, 1923 * ''Cinguloterebra'' Oyama, 1961: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Clathroterebra'' Oyama, 1961: synonym of '' Myurella'' Hinds, 1845 * ''Decorihastula'' Oyama, 1961: synonym of '' Myurella'' Hinds, 1844 * ''Dimidacus'' Iredale, 1929: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Diplomeriza'' Dall, 1919: synonym of '' Duplicaria'' Dall, 1908 * ''Egentelaria'' Rehder, 1980: synonym of ''
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 These are ...
'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Euterebra'' Cotton & Godfrey, 1932: synonym of '' Duplicaria'' Dall, 1908 * ''Gradaterebra'' ''Cotton & Godfrey, 1932'': synonym of ''
Euterebra ''Euterebra'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory marine (ocean), marine gastropods in t ...
'' Cotton & Godfrey, 1932 * ''Hastulina'' Oyama, 1961: synonym of ''
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 These are ...
'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Impages'' E. A. Smith, 1873: synonym of ''
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 These are ...
'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''Laeviacus'' Oyama, 1961: synonym of '' Pristiterebra'' Oyama, 1961 * ''Myurellina'' Bartsch, 1923: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Myurellisca'' Bartsch, 1923: synonym of '' Duplicaria'' Dall, 1908 * ''Noditerebra'' Cossmann, 1896 †: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Nototerebra'' Cotton, 1947: synonym of ''
Oxymeris ''Oxymeris'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species Species within the genus ''Oxymeris'' include: * '' Oxymeris albida'' (Gray, 1834) * '' Oxymeris areolata'' (Link, 1807) * '' Ox ...
'' Dall, 1903 * ''Panaterebra'' Olsson, 1967: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Paraterebra'' Woodring, 1928: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Partecosta'' Dance & Eames, 1966: synonym of ''
Euterebra ''Euterebra'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Terebridae The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, is a Family (biology), family of predatory marine (ocean), marine gastropods in t ...
'' Cotton & Godfrey, 1932 * ''Pervicacia'' Iredale, 1924: synonym of '' Duplicaria'' Dall, 1908 * ''Subula'' Schumacher, 1817: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Terebrina'' Bartsch, 1923: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 (invalid: junior homonym of Terebrina Rafinesque, 1815; Dimidacus is a replacement name) * ''Terebrum'' Montfort, 1810: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Terenolla'' Iredale, 1929: synonym of '' Myurella'' Hinds, 1845 * ''Triplostephanus'' Dall, 1908: synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789 * ''Vertagus'' ''Link, 1807'': synonym of ''
Terebra ''Terebra'' is a genus of small to large-sized predatory sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod molluscs in the subfamily Terebrinae of the family (biology), family Terebridae, the auger snails. Species in this genus do not possess a radul ...
'' Bruguière, 1789


References

* 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.


External links


Gray J.E. (1853). On the division of ctenobranchous gasteropodous Mollusca into larger groups and families. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. ser. 2, 11: 124–132

Fedosov, A. E.; Malcolm, G.; Terryn, Y.; Gorson, J.; Modica, M. V.; Holford, M.; Puillandre, N. (2020). Phylogenetic classification of the family Terebridae (Neogastropoda: Conoidea). Journal of Molluscan Studies.



Terebridae, Auger Shells

Terebra dislocata, Atlantic Auger or Eastern Auger

NC Sea Grant, ''Seashells of North Carolina Field Guide''



Shell Catalogue Family Terebridae
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Further reading

* 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).


External links


Terebridae at Seashells of New South Wales

Miocene Gastropods and Biostratigraphy of the Kern River Area, California; United States Geological Survey Professional Paper 642

Fedosov, A. E.; Malcolm, G.; Terryn, Y.; Gorson, J.; Modica, M. V.; Holford, M.; Puillandre, N. (2020). Phylogenetic classification of the family Terebridae (Neogastropoda: Conoidea). Journal of Molluscan Studies
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