Marginellidae
Order: Sorbeoconcha (Neotaenioglossa)
Superfamily: MURICOIDEA
PHOTO
Cystiscus sp. Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia. March 1987. AM C152942. Photos: Bill Rudman.
The marginellids are a group of small marine snails whose shell has a characteristic smooth polished surface. We don't know much about their biology and their diet seems to vary from species to species. Some, such as the species of Cystiscus illustrated here, feed on bryozoans, but others are reported to feed on ascidians, burrow through bivalve shells, and to attack sleeping fish. They often have brightly coloured animals and partially enclosed shells which may make them look like a small bubble-shell. They are however not related to opisthobranchs.
Authorship detailsRudman, W.B., 2002 (March 18) Marginellidae [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/marginell
