- Source: Mitridae
Mitridae, known as mitres or mitre shells, are a taxonomic family of sea snails, widely distributed marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Mitroidea.
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. 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:
Cylindromitrinae Cossmann, 1899
Nebularia Swainson, 1840
Pterygia Röding, 1798
†Wormsina Harzhauser & Landau, 2021
Imbricariinae Troschel, 1867
†Austroimbricaria A. M. Olivera & Camacho, 1992
Cancilla Swainson, 1840
Imbricaria Schumacher, 1817
Imbricariopsis Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Neocancilla Cernohorsky, 1970
Scabricola Swainson, 1840
Swainsonia H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
Isarinae Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Isara H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
Subcancilla Olsson & Harbison, 1953
Mitrinae Swainson, 1829
Acromargarita S.-I Huang, 2021
Calcimitra Huang, 2011
Cancillopsis Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
†Dentimitra von Koenen, 1890
Domiporta Cernohorsky, 1970
Episcomitra Monterosato, 1917
Eumitra Tate, 1889
†Fraudiziba Harzhauser & Landau, 2021
Fusidomiporta Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Gemmulimitra Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Mitra Röding, 1798
Neotiara Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Profundimitra Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
†Pseudocancilla Staadt in Cossmann, 1913
Pseudonebularia Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Quasimitra Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Roseomitra Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Ziba H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853
Pleioptygmatinae Quinn, 1989
Pleioptygma Conrad, 1863
Strigatellinae Troschel, 1869
Strigatella Swainson, 1840
[unassigned] Mitridae (temporary name)
Atrimitra Dall, 1918
Carinomitra Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
† Clifdenia Laws, 1932
Condylomitra Fedosov, Herrmann, Kantor & Bouchet, 2018
Dibaphimitra Cernohorsky, 1970
† Fusimitra Conrad, 1855
Magnamitra Huang & Salisbury, 2017
Panamitra E. F. García & R. Salisbury, 2024
Probata Sarasúa, 1989
Vicimitra Iredale, 1929
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
References
External links
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)
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
Miocene Gastropods and Biostratigraphy of the Kern River Area, California; United States Geological Survey Professional Paper 642 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.