Murchisoniidae

Murchisoniidae is an extinct family of Paleozoic sea snails, belonging to the order Murchisoniida. These marine gastropods are known from the fossil record, primarily from the Silurian and Devonian periods. Murchisoniids are characterized by their high, conical shells, often with a sinuous aperture. The shell sculpture typically includes prominent spiral ribs. Their evolutionary relationships place them among some of the earliest lineages of gastropods, and their fossils provide valuable insights into the diversification of this group during the Paleozoic Era.

The classification of Murchisoniida has been subject to revision as new fossil discoveries and analytical techniques have emerged. Historically, they were placed in various higher taxonomic groups, but current understanding generally recognizes them as a distinct order within gastropods. The distribution of murchisoniid fossils indicates a widespread presence in ancient marine environments across different continents. Their ecological role is inferred to have been that of grazers or detritivores on the seafloor. The extinction of the Murchisoniida family is presumed to have occurred by the end of the Paleozoic Era, though their precise evolutionary fate and potential descendants remain areas of ongoing research.