Tornatinidae

Tornatinidae is a family of very small sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Tornatelloidea. They are often called “tornatines”. The Tornatinidae have been historically classified as belonging to the Cephalaspidea, but they are now considered to be part of the Euopisthobranchia, or higher, as the classification of Opisthobranchia remains under revision.

Common Names

Tornatinidae are commonly called "tornatines".

Characteristics

The Tornatinidae are characterized by the following:

  • Small, delicate shells
  • Usually translucent and often white
  • Oval or elongate shape
  • Sharp spire with a pointed apex
  • Small aperture with a thickened outer lip

Environments

Tornatinidae are found in a variety of marine environments, including:

  • Shallow coastal waters
  • Intertidal zones
  • Deep sea

They are often found living in sediment or among algae.

References

For further information on Tornatinidae, please consult the following resources: