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Ficidae

(Family)

Overview

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Ficidae, common name the fig shells are a family of medium to large marine gastropods. It is the only family in the superfamily Ficoidea.

According to taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi (2005) the family Ficidae has no subfamilies.

The shells of these snails are shaped rather like figs or pears, hence the common name.

The Ficidae were previously included in the Tonnaceae (now Tonnoidea) along with the Tonnidae and .1][2]

Distribution

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The family is found worldwide, mostly in tropical and subtropical silt and mud covered neritic zones.

Shell description

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The shells of species in the Ficidae are thin but strong. They have a large aperture and a long siphonal can al, but an extremely low spire which does not protrude above the outline of the body whorl.

Fig shells very often have subdued spiral ribbing, and are subtly patterned in shades of very pale brown and beige.

Genera

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Genera within the family Ficidae include:

m of Ficus R?ding, 1798
  • Pyrula Lamarck, 1799 : synonym of Ficus R?ding, 1798
  • Sycotypus Gray, 1847 : synonym of Ficus R?ding, 1798

    • References

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    1. ^ Keen, A.Myra 1958; Sea Shells of Tropical West America, Stanford University Press.
    2. ^ Moore, Lalicker, and Fischer 1952; Invertebrate Fossils, McGraw-Hill Book.
    3. ^ WoRMS (2009). Ficus R?ding, 1798. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=205605 on 2010-05-20
    4. ^ "Austroficopsis". The Paleobiology Database, accessed 20 May 2010.
    5. ^ "Ficopsis". The Paleobiology Database, accessed 20 May 2010.
    6. ^ "Fusoficula". The Paleobiology Database, accessed 20 May 2010.
    7. ^ "Gonysycon". The Paleobiology Database, accessed 20 May 2010.
    8. ^ WoRMS (2010). Thalassocyon Barnard, 1960. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=447827 on 2010-05-20

    Furtehr reading

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    Taxonomy

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    The Family Ficidae is a member of the Superfamily Ficoidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Ficidae:

    The Family Ficidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

    Genera

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    Ficopsis

    Ficula

    Ficus

    Ficus () is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphyte in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The Common Fig (F. carica) is a temperate species native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region (from Afghanistan to Portugal), which has been widely cultivated from ancient times for its fruit, also referred to as figs. The fruit of most other species are also edible though they are usually of only local economic importance or eaten as bushfood. However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife. Figs are also of considerable cultural importance throughout the tropics, both as objects of worship and for their many practical uses. [more]

    Pyrula

    [more]

    Thalassocyon

    More info about the Genus Thalassocyon may be found here.

    References

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    1. ^ Keen, A.Myra 1958; Sea Shells of Tropical West America, Stanford University Press.
    2. ^ Moore, Lalicker, and Fischer 1952; Invertebrate Fossils, McGraw-Hill Book.
    3. ^ WoRMS (2009). Ficus R?ding, 1798. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=205605 on 2010-05-20
    4. ^ "Austroficopsis". The Paleobiology Database, accessed 20 May 2010.
    5. ^ "Ficopsis". The Paleobiology Database, accessed 20 May 2010.
    6. ^ "Fusoficula". The Paleobiology Database, accessed 20 May 2010.
    7. ^ "Gonysycon". The Paleobiology Database, accessed 20 May 2010.
    8. ^ WoRMS (2010). Thalassocyon Barnard, 1960. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=447827 on 2010-05-20

    Sources

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    Last Revised: August 24, 2012
    2012/08/24 13:31:53