Turrid Shells of the Turridae Family
Two Turrid Shells of the Turridae Family can be found in this website:
Phylogeny: Turrid Shells of the Turridae Family are gastropod mollusks in the order Neogastropoda. Neogastropods are characterized by having a long siphonal canal, a well developed siphonal notch, and a specialized radula. Many species in this order have a narrow aperture. Neogastropods are primarily marine snails and most of the well-known shell families are in this order. The Turridae Family is one of seventeen families in the superfamily Conoidea. Conoideans include venomous shells such as auger shells and cone shells. The Turridae Family has no subfamilies, but it has twenty-five genera and around one hundred ninety species. Because of the wide range and variation within these shells, Turrids have been reclassified on numerous occasions, being assigned and reassigned to different families. At one point there were over four thousand members of the Turridae Family; this has now been narrowed considerably, primarily on the basis of phylogenetics. Shells in this family are also commonly called Turrids.
Description: Turrid Shells vary tremendously in size and shape. Most of the shells are somewhat fusiform (spindle-shaped) with moderately high spires. Their external sculpting may be spiral, axial, or oblique. The sculpting may consist of ribs, cords, grooves, nodules, or spines. Their apertures are narrow. The outer lip is usually thin and smooth. The columella is smooth and may be curved or straight. Their siphonal canal may be long or just a notch. They have a pronounced posterior canal, or, at least, a subtle deflection in the growth lines in the posterior end of the outer lip of the aperture. Many have subdued coloration, but some are brightly colored or interestingly patterned. Turrid Shells generally have a corneous operculum and a thin periostracum. They range in size from less than two millimeters to 18.0 cm (7 inches) in length. Some sources extend the maximum size to 25 cm (8.8 inches).
Habitat and Distribution: Because of the ongoing taxonomic revisions in this family it is difficult to determine geographic and depth ranges for this family. Most records by family are dated and inaccurate. To be accurate would require species by species research. Turrid Shells may be found on soft or hard substrates. They live in shallow, near shore waters, and to abyssal depths. They are found globally in tropical to polar seas. At least six species are found in Mexican waters.
Natural History: Like Cone Shells, Turrid Shells are venomous predators utilizing their uniquely designed radula as a harpoon to capture and envenomate their prey. The venom paralyzes the prey animal. Most Turrid Shells in this family primarily prey on polychaete worms. They are gonochoric and reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization. The eggs are laid in lenticular or triangular protective capsules. These capsules are corneous and are attached to hard surfaces. Some species of Turrid Shells are edible though they are generally not targeted by fisheries.