coralliophilid

Coralliophilidae, commonly known as coralliophilids or coral snails, is a family of marine gastropod mollusks. Members of this family are primarily corallivores or ectoparasites that live on corals and related cnidarians, feeding on polyp tissue or mucus. The group is placed within the neogastropod caenogastropod lineage and belongs to the superfamily Muricoidea, with numerous genera such as Coralliophila.

Morphology and diagnosis: Shells vary widely in shape and size but are generally solid and may be elongated with a noticeable siphonal canal. Surface sculpture ranges from smooth to ribbed or nodulated, depending on genus. The soft anatomy, particularly the feeding apparatus, supports their corallivorous habit.

Ecology and feeding: Coralliophilids typically inhabit coral reefs, living on living corals, rubble, or other hard substrates near corals. They feed by boring or rasping coral tissue using a proboscis, extracting nutrients from polyp tissue. This corallivorous habit makes them important players in reef dynamics, especially under stress conditions when corals are more susceptible to damage.

Distribution and habitat: They are found in warm and temperate seas worldwide, with the greatest diversity in the Indo-Pacific; most species occur in shallow to moderately deep tropical reefs.

Taxonomy and fossil record: Coralliophilidae has a fossil record dating back to the Mesozoic, and taxonomy is based on shell morphology and anatomy, with ongoing revisions as molecular data become available.

Ecological and economic significance: Coralliophilids can contribute to coral decline by feeding on corals, particularly on stressed reefs. In some aquarium, mariculture, and restoration contexts, infestations are monitored and managed to protect coral health.