HARPS

Family Harpidae. There are fewer than two dozen species in this colourful family. The strong axial ribs and wide aperture and smooth columella are characteristic. Most are tropical shallow water dwellers. There is no operculum. Australia has a few deep-water rare species.

BABYLONS

Family Buccinidae. This is a very large and diverse family having many genera represented both in polar seas as well as in the tropics. The fusiform shells may be drab in the cold seas and colourful in the tropics. Most have a large horny, oval operculum. Hundreds of species are known.

MOON SHELLS

Family Naticidae. Large worldwide family of small or moderate-size shells, globular or flattened in shape, smooth and glossy. Umbilicus open or closed, sometimes with an internal rib. Operculum thick and calcareous or thin and corneous. Carnivorous sand dwellers which lay eggs in a "collar" of sand and mucus.

MITERS

Family Mitridae. This family contains several hundred species most of which are colourful and live in warm shallow seas. The shells are usually elongate to fusiform, and the columella bears several small plicae, or teeth. Recently the family Costellariidae (i.e. Vexillidae) has been separated off to contain Vexillum, Pusia and Thala.

MUREX

Family Muricidae. This is a large and very diverse family, ranging from the beautiful, spiny Venus Comb Murex to the small insignificant drupes and purpura rock shells. The genera in this family are very arbitrary and no two experts agree. The subfamily Thaidinae compromises the common rock-shells. Operculum corneous and brown.

VENUS CLAMS

Family Veneridae. A large and well known family of hard shelled clams found in most parts of the world. In cold seas many species, such as the Quahog or hard-shell clam, are used for food. In warmer waters the species are more colourful. There are numerous genera and hundreds of species.

TULIPS & SPINDLES

Family Fasciolariidae. Tulips and Spindles. The tulips and horse conches are large carnivorous snails, without strong plicae or folds on the columella, usually with a good periostracum, and with a thick, horny, claw like operculum. Mainly shallow tropical water.

TOP SHELLS

Family Trochidae. This is a very large worldwide family with numerous genera and hundreds of species. Most are top-shaped, have an iridescent interior and a round, many-whorled, horny operculum. They occur from tidal rock pools to the deepest portions of the oceans. Most feed on seaweed but many eat bryozoans and sponges.

COCKLES

Family Cardiidae. The cockle family is one of the largest and best known of the bivalves. There are several hundred species, ranging from the Great Ribbed Cockle of West Africa to the Heart Cockle of the Philippines. Hinge with 2 cardinal teeth in each valve; one anterior and posterior lateral tooth in the left valve.

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