Tulip snail or tulip shell is the common name for eight species of large, predatory, subtropical and tropical sea snails from the Western Atlantic. These species are in the genus Fasciolaria. They are marine gastropod mollusks in the family Fasciolariidae, the spindle shells, tulip shells and their allies.

Fasciolaria
Apertural view of the shell of a Fasciolaria tulipa.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Buccinoidea
Family: Fasciolariidae
Subfamily: Fasciolariinae
Genus: Fasciolaria
Lamarck, 1799[1]
Type species
Murex tulipa
Synonyms
  • Cinctura Hollister, 1957 (synonym or subgenus of Fasciolaria.)
  • Iaeranea Rafinesque, 1815
  • Tarantinaea Monterosato, 1917

The word "tulip" describes the overall shape of the shells of these species, which is like that of a closed tulip flower.

Description

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The shell is fusiform. The spire is acuminated. The aperture is oval, elongated, as long as the spire. The siphonal canal is straight. The columella is smooth, with a few oblique plaits at the fore part. The outer lip is internally crenate. [2]

Species

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According to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), and the Digital Atlas of Ancient Life for the Neogene of the Southeastern United States, the following species with a valid name are included within the genus Fasciolaria :[3]


Species brought into synonymy

References

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  1. ^ Lamarck J. B. (1799). Mém. Soc. H. N. Paris: 73.
  2. ^ Adams, H. & Adams, A. (1853-1858). The genera of Recent Mollusca; arranged according to their organization. London, van Voorst. Vol. 1: xl + 484 pp.; vol. 2: 661 pp.; vol. 3: 138 pls
  3. ^ WoRMS: Fasciolaria; accessed 7 April 2012
  4. ^ "Fasciolaria rhomboidea". Neogene Atlas of Ancient Life.
  • National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Seashells
  • Malacolog info on Fasciolaria at: [3]
  • Snyder M.A., Vermeij G.J. & Lyons W.G. (2012) The genera and biogeography of Fasciolariinae (Gastropoda, Neogastropoda, Fasciolariidae). Basteria 76(1-3): 31-70.
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