Acanthina

Acanthina
Acanthina monodon shells
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Muricoidea
Family: Muricidae
Subfamily: Ocenebrinae
Genus: Acanthina
Fischer von Waldheim, 1807
Type species
Buccinum monoceros Bruguière, 1789
Synonyms[1]
  • Acanthina (Acanthina) Fischer von Waldheim, 1807
  • Monoceros Lamarck, 1809 (Invalid: junior homonym of Monoceros Lacépède, 1798 [Pisces] and others)
  • Nucella (Acanthina) Fischer von Waldheim, 1807 · unaccepted
  • Purpura (Monoceros) Lamarck, 1809
  • Rudolpha Schumacher, 1817
  • Unicornus Montfort, 1810

Acanthina, common name the unicorn snails, is a genus of small predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails.[1]

Description

The shell is ovate. The body whorl is large. The spire is rather elevated. The aperture is semilunar. The inner lip is wide and flattened. The outer lip is crenated, with a prominent tooth at the fore part. [2]

Habitat

The species of Acanthina are most numerous on the South American coasts of the Pacific Ocean. These snails live in the intertidal zone.

Species

Species within the genus Acanthina:

Species brought into synonymy

References

  1. ^ a b Houart, R. (2010). Acanthina Fischer von Waldheim, 1807. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=377980 on 2010-12-08
  2. ^ Adams, H. & Adams, A. (1853-1858). The genera of Recent Mollusca; arranged according to their organization. London, van Voorst. Vol. 1: xl + 484 pp.; vol. 2: 661 pp.; vol. 3: 138 pls
  • McLean, James H., 1978 ‘’Marine Shells of Southern California’’, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Museum, Science Series 24, Revised Edition: 1-104