Wentletraps and Violet Snail Shells of the Epitoniidae Family

Two Sea-snail Shells of the Epitoniidae Family can be found in this website:

Phylogeny: Wentletraps and Violet Snails in the Epitoniidae Family are gastropod mollusks that are currently, uncertainly, placed in the order Caenogastropoda incertae sedis. Incertae sedis is Latin for uncertain seating, meaning that they may be in the wrong place. Caenogastropods make up about 60% of the marine gastropod species. They are characterized by having a coiled shell, a single gill, an auricle in the heart, and a distinct radula (rasp-like tongue). Epitonids are in the Epitonioidea superfamily, which used to consist of seven different families that have now been lumped into one- Epitoniidae. As a result, shells that are very dissimilar in appearance are now in the same very large family. There are fifty-one genera in this family and well over 600 species.

Description: Wentletrap comes from a German word for spiral staircase. Most shells in the family have high, sharp spires, which are ascended by spiral sculpting. Wentletrap Shells may be sculpted with strong low axial ribs or delicate blade-like axial ribs. Some have spiral cords or cancellate (crisscross) sculpture. Wentletrap shells are white and elegant. Alternately, the Violet Sea Snails are purplish in color, globose, smooth, and have relatively low blunt spires. Until recently they were in their own Family-Janthinidae. Also lumped into this Family is the former Nystiellidae Family of Nystiellid microgastropods. This lumping together is based on internal anatomy and behavior, not physical appearance, so it is difficult to describe this family in a way that is useful in the field.

Habitat and Distribution: Shells in this family may be found intertidally, on the surface of the open ocean, or in deep waters. They can be found on a variety of substrates and host animals. They are found in all the oceans of the world, from the polar regions to the equator. At least fifty-three species from this family are found in Mexican waters.

Natural History: Epitonids are either predatory carnivores, or ectoparasites. They feed on coral polyps, anemones, and pelagic hydrozoans. They have both rasping radula, and biting jaws. They are protandric hermaphrodites and reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization. Many of the shells in this family are attractive and sought by shell collectors.