"YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE”

The above title is appropriate when it comes to the classification of shallow-marine gastropods, formerly assigned to family Terebridae [e.g. genus Terebra] In the last 25 years or so, DNA studies have shed new light on the evolution of this family, as well as many other families of living mollusks (e.g., shallow-marine gastropods).

Below, I focus on four examples of species that belong in family Terebridae but have been reassigned, based on molecular (DNA) studies from genus Terebra to genus Oxymeris. This latter genus is a predatory carnivorous  gastropod that feeds on small invertebrates, such as polychaete worms and other mollusks. Oxymeris is most common in tropical and subtropical shallow, coastal ocean waters, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, where they dwell in sandy/muddy substrates or among coral reefs.

Note: Terebridae have complex venom and are poisonous to other animals, including humans. Do not handle terebraids as they can sting you good! 

Classification 

Phylum Mollusca

Class Gastropoda

Order Neogastropoda

Family Terebridae [407 living species]

Genus Oxymeris

                                                                                    Examples illustrated herein:  

The above illustrations, from left to right:

 Oxymeris dimidiata (Linaeus, 1758) 

 Oxymeris crenulata Deshayes, 1857

 Oxymeris areolata (Link, 1807)

Oxymeris maculata (Linnaeus, 1758)

REFERENCES USED

Fedosov et al. 2019. Phylogenetic classification of the family Terebridae (Neogastropoda). Journal of Molluscan Studies 85 (4), pp. 359-388. Pdf available for free online.

WoRMS = World Register of Marine Species – Mollusca [a free, comprehensive website anyone can use]. It provides current  (an old names) for marine mollusks.