Ringiculidae are a family of small deep water sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks or micromollusks in the informal group Lower Heterobranchia.[1] [2]

Ringiculidae
a live Ringicula doliaris
Ringicula acuta shells
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Infraclass: Euthyneura
Subterclass: Ringipleura
Superorder: Ringiculimorpha
Superfamily: Ringiculoidea
Family: Ringiculidae
Philippi, 1853
Type genus
Ringicula Deshayes, 1838

Ringiculidae is the only family within the superfamily Ringiculoidea.

The shells of species in this family superficially resemble minute versions of the shells of the Cassinae.

Characteristics

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(Original description in German) The shell is generally spherical, though in rare cases, it can be an elongated oval shape. Its aperture is crescent-shaped and lacks both a siphonal canal and a notch. The outer lip is typically thickened and reflected, while the columella is folded. This family is distinguished from Marginella and related genera by the absence of a notch at the base of the aperture; it differs from the Bullidae by its thickened outer lip. [3]

Genera

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Genera in the family Ringiculidae include:[4][5]

Genera brought into synonymy
  • Eryptycha [sic]: synonym of † Eriptycha F. B. Meek, 1876 (misspelling - incorrect subsequent spelling)
  • Euptycha [sic] : synonym of † Eriptycha F. B. Meek, 1876 (misspelling - incorrect subsequent spelling)
  • Gilbertia Cossmann, 1889: synonym of † Gilbertina Morlet, 1888 (unjustified emendation)
  • Hyporingicula Habe, 1952: synonym of Microglyphis Dall, 1902
  • Plicatra F. Nordsieck, 1972: synonym of Ringicula Deshayes, 1838
  • Ringactaeon F. Nordsieck, 1972: synonym of Ringicula Deshayes, 1838
  • Ringiculadda Iredale, 1936: synonym of Ringiculina Monterosato, 1884: synonym of Ringicula (Ringiculina) Monterosato, 1884 represented as Ringicula Deshayes, 1838
  • Ringiculina Monterosato, 1884: synonym of Ringicula Deshayes, 1838

References

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  1. Ringiculidae R. A. Philippi, 1853. 6 May 2026. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species.
  2. Bouchet P. & Rocroi J.-P. (Ed.); Frýda J., Hausdorf B., Ponder W., Valdes A. & Warén A. 2005. Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families. Malacologia: International Journal of Malacology, 47(1-2). ConchBooks: Hackenheim, Germany. ISBN 3-925919-72-4. ISSN 0076-2997. 397 pp. http://www.vliz.be/Vmdcdata/imis2/ref.php?refid=78278
  3. Philippi, R.A. (1853). Handbuch der Conchyliologie und Malacozoologie. Halle: Eduard Anton. p. 190. Retrieved 6 May 2026. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. "Ringiculidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  5. Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
  • Vaught, K.C. (1989). A classification of the living Mollusca. American Malacologists: Melbourne, FL (USA). ISBN 0-915826-22-4. XII, 195 pp.
  • Bouchet P., Rocroi J.P., Hausdorf B., Kaim A., Kano Y., Nützel A., Parkhaev P., Schrödl M. & Strong E.E. (2017). Revised classification, nomenclator and typification of gastropod and monoplacophoran families. Malacologia. 61(1-2): 1-526

Further reading

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