The Nassariidae, Nassa mud snails (USA), or dog whelks (UK), are a

taxonomic Taxonomy is the practice and science of categorization or classification. A taxonomy (or taxonomical classification) is a scheme of classification, especially a hierarchical classification, in which things are organized into groups or types. ...

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

of small to medium-sized

sea snails Sea snail is a common name for slow-moving marine gastropod molluscs, usually with visible external shells, such as whelk or abalone. They share the taxonomic class Gastropoda with slugs, which are distinguished from snails primarily by the ...

marine Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean. Marine or marines may refer to: Ocean * Maritime (disambiguation) * Marine art * Marine biology * Marine debris * Marine habitats * Marine life * Marine pollution Military * ...

gastropod The gastropods (), commonly known as snails and slugs, belong to a large taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda (). This class comprises snails and slugs from saltwater, from freshwater, and from land. T ...

mollusk Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is e ...

s in the clade

Neogastropoda Neogastropoda is an order of sea snails, both freshwater and marine gastropod molluscs. Description The available fossil record of Neogastropoda is relatively complete, and supports a widely accepted evolutionary scenario of an Early Creta ...

. "Dog whelk" also refers to ''

Nucella lapillus The dog whelk, dogwhelk, or Atlantic dogwinkle (''Nucella lapillus'') is a species of predatory sea snail, a carnivorous marine gastropod in the family Muricidae, the rock snails. ''Nucella lapillus'' was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in ...

''.

Shell description

These snails have rounded shells with a high

spire A spire is a tall, slender, pointed structure on top of a roof of a building or tower, especially at the summit of church steeples. A spire may have a square, circular, or polygonal plan, with a roughly conical or pyramidal shape. Spires are ...

, an oval

aperture In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. More specifically, the aperture and focal length of an optical system determine the cone angle of a bundle of rays that come to a focus in the image plane. An opt ...

, and a siphonal notch.

Distribution

This family of snails is found worldwide.

Habitat

These snails are found mostly in shallow water, on sandy or muddy substrates, often intertidally, but sometimes in deep water. They can be present in very large numbers in suitable habitat.

Feeding habits

Nassariidae are primarily active and lively

scavenger Scavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While scavenging generally refers to carnivores feeding on carrion, it is also a herbivorous feeding b ...

2005 taxonomy

The family Nassariidae is closely related to the family of the true whelks, Buccinidae, because of their shared characteristics in the anatomy of the species in these families,), i.e. a long proboscis, the loss of glandular dorsal folds, and a smaller gland of Leiblein (a dorsal venom gland in the mid-oesophagus). According to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi (2005) the family Nassariidae consists of four subfamilies: * Nassariinae Iredale, 1916 (1835) - synonyms: Nassinae Swainson, 1835 (inv.); Cyclopsidae Chenu, 1859 (inv.); Cyclonassinae Gill, 1871; Alectrionidae Dall, 1908; Arculariidae Iredale, 1915 * Bullinae Allmon, 1990 (not recognized by Haitao LI ''et al.,'' 2010 ) *

Cylleninae The Nassariidae, Nassa mud snails (USA), or dog whelks (UK), are a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Neogastropoda. "Dog whelk" also refers to ''Nucella lapillus''. Shell descriptio ...

L. Bellardi, 1882 *

Dorsaninae The Nassariidae, Nassa mud snails (USA), or dog whelks (UK), are a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Neogastropoda. "Dog whelk" also refers to ''Nucella lapillus''. Shell descriptio ...

Cossmann, 1901 - synonym: Duplicatinae Muskhelishvili, 1967 Kantor et al. (2022) used molecular data to revise the classification of the Buccinoidea superfamily, proposing 20 taxa of family rank and 23 subfamilies. This included the description of a new subfamily of Nassariidae: * Tomliniinae subfam. nov.

2006 taxonomy

Photinae Gray, 1857 was recognized

2017 taxonomy

A new subfamily Anentominae was recognized. * Anentominae Strong, Galindo & Kantor, 2017Strong, E. E., Galindo, L. A., & Kantor, Y. I. (2017). "Quid est ''Clea helena''? Evidence for a previously unrecognized radiation of assassin snails (Gastropoda: Buccinoidea: Nassariidae)". ''PeerJ'' 5: e3638. .

Genera

Genera within the family Nassariidae include: Powell A W B, ''New Zealand Mollusca'', William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ;Nassariinae * ''

Adinassa ''Adinassa'' is a small genus of African sea snails in the family Nassariidae (unassigned in a subfamily). The type species was originally named ''Adinopsis skoogi'' in 1923, though the genus name ''Adinopsis'' had already been used for a genus o ...

'' Horro, Schönherr & Rolán, 2018 (unassigned in a subfamily) * † '' Buccitriton'' Conrad, 1865 * ''

Caesia ''Caesia'' is a genus of herbs in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae,Stevens, P.F. (2001 onwards)"Hemerocallidoideae" ''Angiosperm Phylogeny Website''. Retrieved 2016-06-10. native to Australia, New Guinea, Madagascar and Sou ...

'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * ''

Demoulia ''Demoulia'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks. Species Species within the genus ''Demoulia'' include: * ''Demoulia abbreviata'' (Gmelin, 1791) * † ''Demoulia cong ...

'' Gray, 1838 * ''

Ilyanassa ''Ilyanassa'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The p ...

'' Stimpson, 1865 * '' Nassarius'' Finlay, 1927 * ''

Nassodonta ''Nassodonta'' is a genus of brackish water snails, gastropod Mollusc, mollusks in the family (biology), family Nassariidae. MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Nassodonta H. Adams, 1867. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: ...

'' H. Adams, 1867 * ''

Naytia ''Naytia'' is a genus of brackish water snails, gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Nassariinae of the family Nassariidae The Nassariidae, Nassa mud snails (USA), or dog whelks (UK), are a taxonomic family of small to medium-sized sea snails, ...

'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * '' Phrontis'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * † '' Psilarius'' Woodring, 1964 * ''

Reticunassa ''Reticunassa'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks.MolluscaBase (2019). MolluscaBase. Reticunassa Iredale, 1936. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species ...

'' Iredale, 1936 * '' Tritia'' Risso, 1826 List of synonyms in Nassariinae: * ''Aciculina'' A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius (Aciculina)'' A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Alectrion'' Montfort, 1810 : synonym of '' Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Alectryon'' Melvill, 1918: synonym of ''Alectrion'' Montfort, 1810: synonym of ''Nassarius (Alectrion)'' Montfort, 1810: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Allanassa'' Iredale, 1929: synonym of Nassarius (Allanassa) Iredale, 1929: synonym of Nassarius Duméril, 1805 * ''Amycla'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Amyclina'' Iredale, 1918: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Arcularia'' Link, 1807: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Arculia'' Jousseaume, 1888: synonym of ''Arcularia'' Link, 1807: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Austronassaria'' C. Laseron & J. Laseron, 1956: synonym of ''Nassarius (Plicarcularia)'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * † ''Bathynassa'' Ladd, 1976: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Cencus'' Gistel, 1848: synonym of ''Cyclope'' Risso, 1826: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * † ''Chelenassa'' Shuto, 1969 : synonym of Nassarius (Plicarcularia) Thiele, 1929: synonym of Nassarius Duméril, 1805 * ''Cyclonassa'' Swainson, 1840: synonym of ''Cyclope'' Risso, 1826: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Cyclope'' Risso, 1826: synonym of '' Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Cyclops'' Montfort, 1810 : synonym of ''

Cyclope ''Cyclope'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks. This genus has become a synonym of '' Tritia'' Risso, 1826 . Species ;Species brought into synonymy : * ''Cyclope d ...

'' Risso, 1826; synonym of '' Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Desmoulea'' Gray, 1847: synonym of ''

'' Gray, 1838 * ''Desmoulinsia'': synonym of ''Demoulia'' Gray, 1838 * Eione Risso, 1826: synonym of ''Nassarius (Plicarcularia)'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * † Fackia Nordsieck, 1972 : synonym of ''Nassarius (Gussonea'') Monterosato, 1912: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Glabrinassa'' Shuto, 1969: synonym of ''Nassarius (Zeuxis)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Hebra'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of '' Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Hima'' Leach in Gray, 1852: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Hinia'' Leach, 1847: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * † ''Mirua'' Marwick, 1931: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Moulinsia'' Tournouer, 1874: synonym of ''Demoulia'' Gray, 1838 * ''Nana'' Schumacher, 1817: synonym of ''Cyclope'' Risso, 1826: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Nanina'' Risso, 1826: synonym of ''Cyclope'' Risso, 1826: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * '' Nassa'' Lamarck, 1799: synonym of ''Nassarius (Sphaeronassa)'' Locard, 1886 ; '' Nassa'' Röding, 1798 belongs to the subfamily

Rapaninae Rapaninae is a subfamily of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Muricidae.Houart, R. (2011). Rapaninae. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1962 ...

in the family Muricidae * ''Naytiopsis'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Neritula'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Cyclope'' Risso, 1826: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Niotha'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius (Niotha)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Pallacera'' Woodring, 1964: synonym of ''Nassarius (Pallacera)'' Woodring, 1964 : synonym of''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Panormella'' O. G. Costa, 1840: synonym of ''Cyclope'' Risso, 1826: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Parcanassa'' Iredale, 1936: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Plicarcularia'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Nassarius (Plicarcularia)'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Profundinassa'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Nassarius (Profundinassa)'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Proneritula'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Pygmaeonassa'' Annandale, 1924: synonym of ''Nassarius (Pygmaeonassa)'' Annandale, 1924: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Reticarcularia'' Shuto, 1969: synonym of ''Nassarius (Plicarcularia)'' Thiele, 1929: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Scabronassa'' Peile, 1939: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Sphaeronassa'' Locard, 1886: synonym of ''Nassarius (Sphaeronassa)'' Locard, 1886 * ''Streptorhega'' Bronn, 1856: synonym of ''Demoulia'' Gray, 1838 * ''Tarazeuxis'' Iredale, 1936: synonym of ''Nassarius (Telasco)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Tavaniotha'' Iredale, 1936: synonym of ''Nassarius (Niotha)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Telasco'' H. & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius (Telasco)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Tritonella'' A. Adams, 1852: synonym of ''Nassarius (Hima)'' Leach in Gray, 1852: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Uzita'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Tritia'' Risso, 1826 * ''Varicinassa'' Habe, 1946: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Venassa'' Martens, 1881: synonym of ''Nassarius (Zeuxis)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 * ''Zeuxis'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius (Zeuxis)'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''Nassarius'' Duméril, 1805 ;Anentominae * ''

Anentome ''Anentome'' is a genus of freshwater snails with opercula, aquatic gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Anentominae of the family Nassariidae, a family, almost all of the rest of which are marine.MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Anen ...

'' Cossmann, 1901Bouchet, P. (2017). Anentominae Strong, Galindo & Kantor, 2017. In: MolluscaBase (2017). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1027028 on 2017-11-22 * '' Clea'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1855 * '' Oligohalinophila'' Neiber & Glaubrecht, 2019 ;Buccinanopsinae Galindo, Puillandre, Lozouet & Bouchet, 2016 * ''

Buccinanops ''Buccinanops'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Buccinanopsidae, the ''Nassa'' mud snails or dog whelks and the like.Bouchet, P. & Gofas, S. (2015). "''Buccinanops'' d'Orbigny, 1841". In: MolluscaBase (2015). Acc ...

'' d'Orbigny, 1841 ;Bullinae * ''

Bullia ''Bullia'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks. Species The following subgenera are recognized: * ''Bullia'' (''Bullia'') Gray, 1834 * ''Bullia'' (''Cereobullia'') Mel ...

'' Gray, 1833 * † '' Bulliopsis'' Conrad, 1862 * ''Adinus'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853: synonym of ''

'' Gray, 1833 * ''Cereobullia'' Melvill, 1924: synonym of ''

'' Gray, 1833 * ''Leiodomus'' Swainson, 1840: synonym of ''

'' Gray, 1833 * ''Pseudostrombus'' Mörch, 1852: synonym of ''

'' Gray, 1833 ;Cylleninae * '' Cyllene'' Gray in Griffith & Pidgeon, 1834 * '' Neoteron'' Pilsbry & Lowe, 1932 * ''Radulphus'' Iredale, 1924: synonym of ''Cyllene'' Gray, 1834 ;Dorsaninae * † '' Cyllenina'' Bellardi, 1882 * † '' Desorinassa'' Nuttall & Cooper, 1973 * ''

Dorsanum ''Dorsanum'' is a genus of sea snails, marine (ocean), marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Dorsaninae of the family (biology), family Nassariidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks. Species Subgenera : * ''Dorsanum'' (''Dorsanum'') Gray ...

'' Gray, 1847 * † ''

Keepingia ''Keepingia'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Dorsaninae of the family Nassariidae, the Nassa mud snails or dog whelks.MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Keepingia Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 †. Accessed ...

'' Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 * † '' Lisbonia'' Palmer, 1937 * † '' Monoptygma'' Lea, 1833 * † '' Pseudocominella'' Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 * † '' Thanetinassa'' Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 * † Whitecliffia Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 * † ''Colwellia'' Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 : synonym of † ''Keepingia'' Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 * † ''Desorinassa'' Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 : synonym of † ''Keepingia'' Nuttall & J. Cooper, 1973 * † ''Duplicata'' Korobkov, 1955 : synonym of ''Dorsanum'' Gray, 1847 ;Photinae * ''

Antillophos ''Antillophos'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae. Taxonomy This genus was treated within family Buccinidae. It was moved to family Nassariidae in 2016.Galindo, L. A., Puillandre, N., Utge, J., Lozouet ...

'' Woodring, 1928Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S. (2016). Photinae Gray, 1857. In: MolluscaBase (2017). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=225646 on 2017-11-22 * † '' Coraeophos'' Makiyama, 1936 * † '' Cymatophos'' Pilsbry & Olsson, 1941 * ''

Engoniophos ''Engoniophos'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily of the family Nassariidae. MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Engoniophos Woodring, 1928. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www. ...

'' Woodring, 1928 * † '' Europhos'' Landau, Harzhauser, Islamoglu & Silva, 2014 * † '' Glyptophos'' Landau, da Silva & Heitz, 2016 * † '' Judaphos'' Jung, 1995 * '' Metaphos'' Olsson, 1964 * '' Northia'' Gray, 1847 * † '' Philindophos'' Shuto, 1969 * ''

Phos ''Phos'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Nassariidae.Bouchet, P. (2015). Phos Montfort, 1810. In: MolluscaBase (2017). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php ...

'' Montfort, 1810 * † '' Rhipophos'' Woodring, 1964 * '' Strombinophos'' Pilsbry & Olsson, 1941 * † '' Tritiaria'' Conrad, 1865 ;Tomliniinae subfam. nov. * ''

Nassaria ''Nassaria'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Tomliniinae of the family (biology), family Nassariidae.MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Nassaria Link, 1807. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Spec ...

'' Link, 1807 * ''

Tomlinia ''Tomlinia'' is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the subfamily Tomliniinae of the family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage o ...

'' Peile, 1937 * '' Trajana'' Gardner, 1948 * ''Benthindsia'' Iredale, 1936: synonym of ''

'' Link, 1807 * ''Hindsia'' A. Adams, 1855: synonym of ''

'' Link, 1807 * ''Microfusus'' Dall, 1916: synonym of''

'' Link, 1807 ;Subfamily ? * ''Adinopsis'' Odhner, 1923 : ? synonym of ''

'' Gray in Griffith & Pidgeon, 1834 * '' Adinus'' H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 * '' Ambullina'' Palmer, 1937 * '' Soyonassa'' Okutani, 1964

References

External links

*
Miocene Gastropods and Biostratigraphy of the Kern River Area, California; United States Geological Survey Professional Paper 642

Galindo, L. A.; Puillandre, N.; Utge, J.; Lozouet, P.; Bouchet, P. (2016). The phylogeny and systematics of the Nassariidae revisited (Gastropoda, Buccinoidea). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 99: 337-353
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