Astraea (gastropod)


Astraea is a genus of medium to large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Turbinidae, the turban snails.

Etymology

The Latin genus Astraea means star, with reference to the star-shape of these snails, also commonly called star shells.

Description

Shells of species within this genus can reach a size of about. They have the appearance of a smooth conical shell. The outer edges of the coiled whorls are quite flattened, with prominent axial sculpture. Below widely, it is umbilicate and concave.

Species

Extant species within this genus include:

Fossil records

This genus is known in the fossil records from the Paleocene to the Quaternary. Fossils of species within this genus have been found in the sediments of Europe, Australia, United States, Japan, Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil.

Species

Extinct species within this genus include:
  • †Astraea venezuelana Weisbord 1962
  • †Astraea gradata Grant and Gale 1931
  • †Astraea morani Loel and Corey 1932
  • †Astraea holmesi Ladd 1966
  • † Astraea bicarinata Suter, 1917
  • †Astraea fimbriata Borson 1821
  • † Astraea granifer
  • † Astraea hickmanae Kiel & Bandel, 2002
  • † Astraea holmesi Ladd, 1966
  • † Astraea hudsoniana
  • † Astraea pseudomodesta Nomura, 1935
  • † Astraea stellare Gmelin 1791
  • † Astraea stirps Laws, 1932
  • †Astraea tentoriiformis Jonas, 1844
;Species brought into synonymy