Galeinae

Galeinae is a subfamily of predatory marine snails belonging to the family Muricidae, commonly known as murex snails or rock snails. This subfamily encompasses a diverse group of species characterized by their often elaborate and spiny shells, which are a prominent feature used for defense and sometimes for aiding in predation. The shells can vary significantly in shape and ornamentation, with some species exhibiting long, elaborate spines and others having more knobbed or ribbed structures.

The distribution of Galeinae is widespread across tropical and temperate marine waters globally. They are typically found in benthic environments, inhabiting a range of substrates from rocky shorelines and coral reefs to sandy and muddy bottoms. Their diet consists primarily of other invertebrates, with many species being voracious predators of bivalves, other gastropods, and sometimes sessile organisms like barnacles. They employ various methods to capture prey, often drilling holes through the shells of their victims using their radula, a ribbon-like structure bearing rows of tiny teeth.

Reproduction in Galeinae, like other marine gastropods, generally involves sexual reproduction. Females lay eggs, often encased in protective egg capsules that are attached to hard surfaces. The development of the young can be direct, with miniature snails hatching from the eggs, or indirect, involving a planktonic larval stage. The specific life cycle and reproductive strategies can vary among the different genera and species within the subfamily. Galeinae are an integral part of marine ecosystems, playing a role in population control of their prey species.