Muricinae


Muricinae is a taxonomic subfamily of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs within the large family Muricidae, the murex snails and rock snails.
The Muricinae represent approximately 780 valid names of fossil and recent species. This subfamily contains the true Murex, and many other closely related genera.

Systematics

The subdivision of the Muricidae into subfamilies is mainly based on the work of Bouchet & Rocroi, who combined morphological and molecular data in order to define the Muricinae. However, based on latest knowledge this subfamily might represent a polyphyletic group. Traditional the Muricinae are subdivided into five informal groups, which contain 47 genera and subgenera :
1. Muricinae group
  • Flexopteron Shuto, 1969
  • Murex Linnaeus, 1758
  • M. Ponder & Vokes, 1988
  • Haustellum Schumacher, 1817
  • Vokesimurex Petuch, 1994
  • Siratus Jousseaume, 1880
  • Bolinus Pusch, 1837
  • Hexaplex Perry, 1811
  • H. Cossmann, 1921
  • Muricanthus Swainson, 1840
  • Chicoreus Montfort, 1810
  • C. Houart, 1992
  • C. Oyama, 1950
  • C. Perry, 1810
  • Chicomurex Arakawa, 1964
  • Phyllonotus Swainson, 1833
  • Naquetia Jousseaume, 1880
2. Pterynotus-Textilomurex group
  • Pterynotus Swainson, 1833
  • P. Houart, 1995
  • Textiliomurex Merle, 2011
3. Basal muricids group
  • Timbellus de Gregorio, 1885
  • Pterochelus Jousseaume, 1880
  • Purpurellus Jousseaume, 1880
  • Ponderia Houart, 1986
  • Prototyphis Ponder, 1972
  • Poirieria Jousseaume, 1880
  • P. Dall, 1902
  • P. Stilwell & Zinsmeister, 1992
  • P. Monterosato, 1884
  • Paziella Jousseaume, 1880
  • P. Houart & Héros, 2008
  • Crassimurex Merle, 1990
  • C. Gürs, 2001
  • Harmatia Noszky, 1940
  • Gamurex Merle, 2011
  • Falsimuricopsis Merle, 2011
4. Calotrophon-Attiliosa group
  • Calotrophon Hertlein & Strong, 1951
  • C. Olsson & Harbison, 1953
  • C. Woodring, 1959
The subfamilial place of the last groups should be regarded as provisional.