Definition

1. Noun:
   • A taxonomic family of marine gastropod mollusks: "Family Naticidae" refers to a specific biological family within the order Littorinimorpha, commonly known as moon snails or necklace shells. These are predatory sea snails characterized by their globular shells and a large, muscular foot used for burrowing in sand or mud.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The scientist studied the feeding habits of the family Naticidae. (The researcher focused on how moon snails hunt and consume their prey.)
  • Shell collectors often seek specimens from the family Naticidae for their smooth, rounded shapes. (Enthusiasts look for moon snail shells due to their distinctive appearance.)

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic classification: Used in scientific literature to group species with shared morphological and genetic traits.
  • The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of this species within the family Naticidae. (The evolutionary study verified this snail's classification as a moon snail.)

Variants and Related Words

• Naticid (adj/n): Pertaining to or a member of the family Naticidae.
  • The naticid drill hole in the clam shell was evidence of predation. (The circular hole made by a moon snail proved it was the predator.)
• Moon snail (n): The common name for snails in this family.
• Necklace shell (n): Another common name, referring to the shell's shape.

Synonyms

• Moon shells: A common name synonym for the family.
• Predatory sand snails: A descriptive term highlighting their habitat and feeding behavior.

Related Phrases

• Naticid predation: Refers to the hunting activity characteristic of this family, where they drill into the shells of other mollusks.
  • The fossil record shows evidence of naticid predation dating back millions of years.

Noun

1. moonshells