Tardividae

Tardividae is a family of marine gastropod mollusks. In modern classifications it is placed within the clade Neogastropoda and often within the superfamily Muricoidea, though the exact circumscription of the group has varied among authorities. Some taxonomic schemes recognize Tardividae as a distinct family, while others treat its genera as members of related families, leading to ongoing revisions.

The family comprises a relatively small number of described species. Members are marine snails that inhabit a range of habitats, from shallow coastal waters to deeper continental shelf environments, with records in tropical and temperate regions.

Shells attributed to Tardividae are typically small to medium in size and tend to be smooth and glossy, often with limited sculpture. The aperture tends to be elongated, and the outer lip is commonly simple. In life, these snails are presumed to be slow-moving predators or scavengers, feeding on small invertebrates.

Taxonomic history and fossil record: The status of Tardividae has been influenced by both morphological studies and molecular data, resulting in changes to the assignment of several genera over time. The fossil record for the group is limited, with relatively few well-dated specimens cognate to the modern family.