Heterostropha

Heterostropha is a genus of small sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Triphoridae. These snails are characterized by their sinistral (left-handed) coiling, meaning their shells spiral in a counter-clockwise direction. This is a notable feature as the majority of gastropods exhibit dextral (right-handed) coiling.

The shells of Heterostropha are typically elongate and slender, often with a number of prominent spiral ribs. The aperture, or opening of the shell, is usually narrow and often has a distinct canal. They are benthic organisms, meaning they live on the seafloor, and are found in various marine environments, often in shallow to moderately deep waters.

Their diet generally consists of small invertebrates, and they are known to be active predators. The genus Heterostropha is distributed worldwide, with species found in temperate and tropical oceans. While not extensively studied compared to some other marine gastropod groups, they represent an interesting example of shell coiling variation within the Mollusca. Further research is ongoing to understand their evolutionary relationships and ecological roles.