>How many different kinds of species are their in the family of Turbinella
>pyrum?
>
>Thanks,
>
>--Rory
Rory, it's not a small family (Turbinellidae, which includes
subfamilies Vasinae, Turbinellinae, Ptychatractinae, Tudiclinae,
Columbariinae, Strepturinae and, some would argue, Calliotectinae; I
suspect that the fossil "family" Perissityidae also belongs here, as
may also possibly Melapiidae). This all adds up to a lot of genera.
Most seem to eat "worms". The largest living gastropod, Syrinx
aruanus, belongs in Turbinellinae (NOT in Buccinidae: Melongeninae,
as usually it is incorrectly placed).
There are 4 living species in Turbinella, one of the smaller genera:
angulatus, laevigata, pyrum and laffertyi, all large to very large
and heavy solid shells. It has a good fossil record in the Caribbean
region since at least the Miocene.
Some other genera (ignoring subfamilial placement):
Vasum (=Altivasum etc)
Tudicla
Tudivasum (=Tudicula)
Turbinella (=Xancus)
Ptychatractus
Exilia (=Benthovoluta, Surculina etc)
Dolicholatirus & related genera
Exiloidea
Ceratoxancus
?Fusimitra
Latiromitra (=Cyomesus in part)
Metzgeria
Egestas
Columbarium (=Fulgurofusus, Coluzea, Histricosceptrum, Peristarium...
at subgeneric level at best)
Fossil genera:
Strepsidura
Facioplex (?is Strepsidura in part)
Problematic possible members:
Melapium
Calliotectum (=Teramachia)
Fusivoluta
Neptuneopsis
Microfulgur (monotypic; fossil only, could be buccinid)
Fyfea (fossil only, could be buccinid)
Afer has been transferred on anatomical grounds to Buccinidae.
I don't particularly want to count species... especially as many are
small and very obscure
(heard-of locally at best).
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
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Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
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