Conidae

Conidae, commonly known as cone snails or cone shells, is a family of venomous marine gastropods within the class Gastropoda. They are predatory and occur in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide.

Shells are conical and often brightly patterned, with a long siphon and an elongated aperture. The most distinctive feature is the modified radular tooth that acts as a venomous harpoon, which the snail shoots into prey such as worms, mollusks, or small fish.

Taxonomy: Traditionally, most cone-snail species were placed in the single genus Conus. Modern classifications recognize multiple genera within the family Conidae, with Conus as the type genus. The circumscription of genera remains under revision, and different authorities vary in their rank-level splits.

Ecology and behavior: Cone snails are carnivorous ambush predators that rely on venom to immobilize prey quickly. They use their harpoon-like tooth to inject a complex mix of toxins (conotoxins), which target nerve receptors and ion channels to subdue prey.

Venom and pharmacology: Conotoxins have attracted biomedical interest, and several compounds have been studied for therapeutic potential. The pain-relieving drug ziconotide (Prialt) is derived from a toxin found in Conus magus. Because some species possess potent venom, handling live specimens can be dangerous, and stings can be life-threatening, especially from fish-hunting species.

Distribution and habitat: Cone snails inhabit tropical and subtropical oceans, from shallow reefs to deeper waters, often in sandy substrates, rocky bottoms, or coral environments.

Conservation: Habitat degradation, climate change, and collection pressures threaten some species. Many cone snails are not well assessed for conservation status, but protecting reef and marine habitats supports their continued survival.