Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Subclass: Caenogastropoda
- Order: Neogastropoda
- Family: Turbinellidae
- Subfamily: Vasinae
- Genus: Tudicula H. Adams & A. Adams, 1864
Description
Tudicula is a genus of large marine gastropod mollusks, commonly referred to as sea snails. Members of this genus are characterized by robust, often spindle‑shaped shells typical of the family Turbinellidae.
Taxonomic revision
In 1987, taxonomists Rosenberg and Petit re‑evaluated the group and transferred the species formerly placed in Tudicula to a newly erected genus, Tudivasum. Consequently, Tudicula is now regarded as a synonym of Tudivasum in contemporary malacological literature.
Species formerly assigned to Tudicula
The following species were historically listed under Tudicula but have since been synonymized with Tudivasum species:
- Tudicula inermis Angas, 1878 → Tudivasum inerme (Angas, 1878)
- Tudicula kurtzi Macpherson, 1964 → Tudivasum kurtzi (Macpherson, 1964)
- Tudicula rasilistoma Abbott, 1959 → Tudivasum rasilistoma (Abbott, 1959)
- Tudicula spinosa (H. & A. Adams, 1864) → Tudivasum spinosum (H. & A. Adams, 1864)
- Tudicula zanzibarica Abbott, 1958 → Tudivasum zanzibaricum (Abbott, 1958)
Distribution and habitat
Species formerly placed in Tudicula are distributed in tropical and subtropical marine waters, typically inhabiting sandy or muddy substrates where they can burrow or lie partially buried.
References
- Adams, H.; Adams, A. (1864). Original description of Tudicula.
- Rosenberg, G.; Petit, R. E. (1987). Revision of Turbinellidae genera; establishment of Tudivasum.
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS): taxon details for Tudicula and its synonymy.
Note: The genus Tudicula is no longer recognized as valid in current taxonomic databases and is treated as a synonym of Tudivasum.