Linereilla

Linereilla is a genus of small, marine gastropod mollusks belonging to the family Muricidae, commonly known as murex snails or rock snails. These snails are characterized by their typically elongated, spindle-shaped shells, which often feature prominent axial ribs and sometimes spiral cords. The shell aperture is usually narrow, and the siphonal canal can be long and slender. Linereilla species are found in tropical and subtropical waters, inhabiting a range of marine environments, including coral reefs, rocky shores, and sandy bottoms.

Dietarily, Linereilla are predatory carnivores. They are known to feed on other invertebrates, particularly bivalves and polychaete worms, which they often detect and capture using their radula and a proboscis. Like other members of the Muricidae family, some species of Linereilla have historically been sources of valuable dyes, such as Tyrian purple, although this is more commonly associated with other genera. Reproduction in Linereilla follows the typical pattern for marine gastropods, involving external fertilization and the release of egg capsules. The larval stage is planktonic, contributing to the dispersal of the species. The taxonomy of Linereilla has been subject to revision, with some species previously assigned to other genera now being placed within this group.