Planaxidae
Planaxidae is a family of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Planaxioidea. They are commonly known as “planax snails” or “flat snails.” Members of this family can be found in a variety of marine environments, including intertidal zones, estuaries, and shallow water habitats. They are often found on rocks, seaweeds, and other hard surfaces.
Characteristics
Planax snails typically have a low, flattened, and often somewhat spiral shell. The shell aperture is usually wide and oval-shaped. Their foot is relatively large and flattened, allowing them to cling tightly to surfaces. Planax snails are generally herbivores, feeding on algae and other plant matter. Some species are also known to be detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter.
Environments
Planax snails are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Intertidal zones
- Estuaries
- Shallow water habitats
They are often found on rocks, seaweeds, and other hard surfaces.
Genera
The Planaxidae family is comprised of several genera, including:
- Planaxis
- Planaxoides
- Cerithideopsis
- Cerithidea
References
World Register of Marine Species