Terebridae

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Terebridae
Atlantic or eastern auger, Terebra dislocata
Atlantic or eastern auger, Terebra dislocata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Orthogastropoda
Superorder: Caenogastropoda
Order: Sorbeoconcha
Suborder: Hypsogastropoda
Infraorder: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Conoidea
Family: Terebridae
Genera

See text.

The Terebridae, commonly referred to as auger shells or auger snails, are a group or taxonomic family of small to large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks.

These gastropods have extremely high spired shells with numerous whorls, and the common name refers to the resemblance of their shells to rock drill-type drill bits.

There are about 300 known species worldwide.

Contents

[edit] 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, 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] One species within the family: the eastern auger

The eastern auger, Terebra dislocata, measures on average up to 2 1/4 inches in length, with a pointed spire. Colors vary with exterior bands of pale gray, pinkish brown or orange-brown. This species lives in sounds and offshore on shallow sand flats. The shell is commonly found washed up on sound and ocean beaches. The species is found from Virginia to Brazil. The Atlantic auger is a carnivore, but it lacks the radula and poison gland found in most other augers.

[edit] Genera

Atlantic or eastern auger, Terebra dislocata

[edit] References

[edit] External links


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