helicidates

Helicidates are an extinct genus of marine gastropod mollusks within the family Helicidae. They are part of the larger group of mollusks known for their coiled shells and are commonly referred to as sea snails. Helicideates lived during the Paleogene period, approximately from the Paleocene to the Eocene, with fossil records primarily found in Europe and North America.

The shells of Helicidates are characterized by their distinct coiling patterns, with a moderate to high spire and a wide aperture. The surface of the shells often exhibits fine ribbing or spiral striation, which served both for protection and structural support. These gastropods inhabited marine environments, often burrowing into sandy or muddy substrates on the ocean floor.

As part of the ecological community, Helicidates likely played a role as grazers, feeding on algae and detritus on the seabed. Their presence provides valuable information about the paleoecology and paleoenvironments of the regions they inhabited. The study of Helicidates fossils contributes to understanding the evolutionary history of gastropods and the shifts in marine biodiversity over geological timescales.

Although Helicidates are no longer extant, their fossil record offers insights into molluscan diversity and adaptation in prehistoric marine ecosystems. They represent a transitional form that helps paleontologists trace the development and diversification of gastropods through Earth's history. Their fossils continue to be studied for clues about ancient oceanic conditions, biogeography, and the evolutionary processes that shape marine invertebrate lineages.