impelloreilla

Impellorella is a genus of marine gastropod mollusks belonging to the family Epitoniidae, commonly known as wentletraps. These small, spiral-shelled snails are found in marine environments worldwide, typically inhabiting shallow waters. The shells of Impellorella are characterized by their delicate, glassy appearance and a series of prominent axial ribs that often extend from the base to the apex. The shell aperture is typically oval and lacks a distinct siphonal canal.

Members of the genus Impellorella are predatory. They are known to feed on sea anemones and corals, using their radula, a ribbon of tiny teeth, to scrape tissue from their cnidarian prey. The feeding mechanism involves the injection of venom from salivary glands to paralyze or subdue the anemone. Reproduction in Impellorella, like other epitoniids, involves the release of planktonic larvae, which drift in the ocean currents before settling to the seabed.

The classification of Impellorella has undergone revisions, and its exact taxonomic position within the Epitoniidae can be subject to ongoing research. Despite their small size and often cryptic nature, Impellorella species contribute to the biodiversity of marine ecosystems and are of interest to malacologists studying gastropod evolution and feeding ecology. Their shells, while fragile, are sometimes collected by shell enthusiasts due to their intricate beauty.