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Mitridae

{{Short description|Family of gastropods}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| taxon = Mitridae

| image = Mitridae.jpg

| image_caption = Shells of a group of different species of mitrids

| authority = Swainson, 1831

| synonyms_ref =

| synonyms =

  • Pleioptygmatidae Quinn, 1989
  • Pleioptygmatinae Quinn, 1989· accepted, alternate representation

| type_genus =

| subdivision_ranks = Genera

| subdivision = See text

}}

Mitridae, known as mitres or mitre shells, are a taxonomic family of sea snails, widely distributed marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Mitroidea.{{cite taxon|WoRMS|db=MolluscaBase |year=2024 |id=23073 |title=Mitridae Swainson, 1831 |access-date=28 August 2024}}

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.{{cite book|author1=Ponder, Winston Frank|author2= Lindberg, David R.|author3=Ponder, Juliet Mary |title=Biology and Evolution of the Mollusca |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNS-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1934 |year=2019 |publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-351-11564-3 |page=1934}} 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:Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 {{ISBN|0-00-216906-1}}

; 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

{{clear}}

Image:Cancilla gloriola 001.jpg|Cancilla gloriola

Image:Mitra stictica 01.JPG|Mitra stictica

Image:Neocancilla circula 01.JPG|Neocancilla circula

Image:Pterygia scabricula 001.jpg|Pterygia scabricula

File:Scabricola olivaeformis 01.JPG|Scabricola olivaeformis

Image:Scabricola padangensis 002.jpg|Scabricola padangensis

Image:Subcancilla hrdlickai 002.jpg|Subcancilla hrdlickai

Image:Imbricaria bacillum 01.jpg|Ziba bacillum

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Mitridae}}

  • [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/42278 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)]
  • [https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx073/4855867 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]
  • [https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/0642/report.pdf Miocene Gastropods and Biostratigraphy of the Kern River Area, California; United States Geological Survey Professional Paper 642] {{PD-notice}}

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