Clathurellidae

Clathurellidae is a family of extinct sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Neomphalina.

The family Clathurellidae is known from fossils found in rocks of Cretaceous age. The species of this family were typically small to moderate in size, ranging from 1 to 10 centimeters in length. They had a distinct shell morphology, characterized by a small, narrow aperture and a short, columnar siphon.

Clathurellidae is considered a specialized group of gastropods that is relatively rare in the fossil record. Fossils of this family have been found in rocks from various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Australia. The greatest diversity of Clathurellidae species has been found in rocks from the Cretaceous period, particularly in the Late Cretaceous.

The classification of Clathurellidae within the Neomphalina clade is somewhat complex and has changed over time. Some taxonomists consider Clathurellidae to be a synonym of the family Bellerophinoidea, while others recognize it as a distinct family within the Neomphalina clade. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationships between Clathurellidae and other gastropod groups.

Despite its relatively rare occurrence in the fossil record, Clathurellidae provides important insights into the evolution of sea snails and their adaptations to different environments. Continued study of this family and its fossil record will likely shed more light on its biology and relationships to other groups of mollusks.