Antimoniidide

Antimoniidide is a taxonomic family of marine snails, commonly known as sea snails. These gastropod mollusks belong to the order Neogastropoda and are characterized by their spiral shells. The family Antimoniidide was first described by the French malacologist Henri Fischer in 1885.

Species within this family are found in marine environments, typically inhabiting the benthic zone. Their distribution is widespread, with members of the family observed in various oceans around the globe. The shells of antimoniidid snails often exhibit distinctive features, though these can vary significantly between species. These features can include sculpture, aperture shape, and the presence of spines or other ornamentation.

The diet of antimoniidid snails generally consists of small invertebrates or detritus, depending on the specific species and its habitat. Like other marine gastropods, they possess a radula, a ribbon-like structure with teeth used for feeding. Reproduction in Antimoniidide follows the typical pattern for marine snails, involving external fertilization and the release of planktonic larvae. The exact number of species and genera within Antimoniidide can fluctuate as scientific understanding and classification systems evolve through ongoing research and fossil discoveries.