Vanikoroidea

Vanikoroidea is a taxonomic superfamily of small marine gastropod mollusks, commonly known as sea snails. The group is primarily comprised of the family Vanikoridae, and its name is derived from the genus Vanikoro, the type genus of that family. In different taxonomic schemes, additional families have been included or removed as understanding of gastropod relationships has evolved.

Description and habitat: Members are generally small to minute in size. They occur in marine environments across a range of depths, from shallow subtidal zones to deeper waters, and are found worldwide from tropical to temperate regions. They typically inhabit soft substrates such as sand or mud or occur among coral rubble and detritus. Their diets are usually composed of microalgae, diatoms, and detritus.

Taxonomic notes: The exact composition of Vanikoroidea has varied with revisions in gastropod classification. Modern molecular studies have led to reshuffling of several related groups, and some authors place Vanikoridae alone in this superfamily while others recognize additional families within it. The superfamily remains a subject of ongoing taxonomic refinement.