summary
Taxonomy is a hierarchical system to classify and identify living organisms.
This system was created in the 18th century by a swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus.
The classic classification offers a hierarchy codified into 7 main ranks :
Kingdom ⤑ Phylum ⤑ Class ⤑ Order ⤑ Family ⤑ Genus ⤑ Species
Complete hierarchy of taxonomic ranks
Superkingdom Kingdom Subkingdom Branch Infrakingdom Superphylum Phylum Subphylum Infraphylum Microphylum Superclass Class Subclass Infraclass Subterclass Superorder Order Suborder Infraorder Microorder Superfamily Family Subfamily Tribus Subtribus Genus Subgenus Species Subspecies Variety Subvariety Forma Subforma
classification of Sphaerocypraea incomparabilis
NB : there are only 6 specimens (~ 10,000€)
NB very similar looking shells may belong to completely different families ☹ (the modern classification of living organisms is no longer based on the morphological resemblance of the shells but on the degree of genetic appearance of the animal).
Family names end with the ending "idae". We form them by adding this form to the root of the name of the genus-type. Example : typical genus name : Murex, family name : Muricidae. subfamilies ending is "inae". Example Muricinae. Superfamilies have the ending "acea" or "idea". Example : Muricacea or Muricoidea.
Most collectors classify their shells by families (Conidae, Cassidae,...) and use the binary nomenclature where the name of a species contains two words : the name of the genus (with the first letter in capital letters) and the name of the species (all in lowercase). Example "Cassis cornuta". If you want to specify the subgenus and / or the subspecies, the name can contain up to four words. Example "Conus (Darioconus) crocatus pseudomagister" with the sub-genus in capital letters and in parentheses.
There are still other subtleties of nomenclature if the name is not of Latin origin but comes from a masculine proper noun (ending in "-i"), feminine proper name (ending in "-ae"), plural masculine proper names ( ending in "-orum") or plural feminine proper names (ending in "-arum").
Varieties or forms resulting from further division are designated by the abbreviations var. (= varietas) and placed after the name of the species. Finally, it is customary to add at the end the name of the scientist (s) who, the first, has (have) published the name describing the species, as well as the date. In addition, if a species is transferred from one genus to another (classification revision), the name and the date are in parentheses. Example : Conus (Darioconus) crocatus pseudomagister (Allary & Cossignani, 2016).
For historical reasons, there are still several names for the same shell (synonyms), the search for a species can therefore give variable results depending on the site. The "WORMS" site, which is the reference in terms of taxonomy, indicates all the known synonyms of a taxon.
There are some essential sites that describe a very large number of families with an impressive number of photos, it is very likely to find an unidentified seashell :
To do an identification search, you must therefore already have an idea of the family of the shell you are looking for. For this, the following website can provide a first indication, visually.
One can also appeal to the French forum of shell collectors made up of several passionate experts.
There is also a site that allows you to publish your own collection like these Conidae by Fabrice Prugnaud. In addition, it has a pretty impressive shape recognition function.
NB : the shells are graded as follows :
from GEM to F+ : adult shells (average size of the species) and collected alive
The quality and especially the size strongly influence the prices (ratio of 1 to 20 or more)
The modern classification of shells is no longer based solely on their external appearance but, rather, on the physiology of the mollusk inhabiting the shell. Thus, two very similar seashells are not necessarily of the same family and conversely, two seashells of the same family can have completely different shells ☹
Determining physiological factors for the classification of seashells:
The identification of a seashell therefore requires a good knowledge of its anatomy. ( gastropod, bivalve and cephalopod anatomy) and shell building process ( gastropod, bivalve and cephalopod shell)
Gastropods : careful observation of the characteristics below can sometimes provide the key to the problem :
NB The large Muricidae family includes totally different species. As a last resort, if not already done, check that the species sought is not listed.
be aware to the colors, same seashells species may have different colour shades (TheMediterranean cone shells, for instance, are so variable in color and shape that they were given almost 200 different scientific names before anyone realized that they all referred to one and the same species (Conus ventricosus)!
Also pay attention to the juvenile stages of the shells which, before reaching the adult stage, can have very different colors and shapes.
Bivalves : families identification keys :
NB The phylum Brachiopods contains species (lingulas, etc.) which should not be confused with bivalves (phylum molluscs) despite their apparent resemblance.
If all your identification searches fail it is because you have a rare or "freak" specimen (unlikely) or that your specimen is either "juvenile" or "beach" (more likely) :
Navigating seashell sites sometimes requires knowledge of the classification levels above "Family". Thus, the correspondence tables below make it easy to find the ancestors (L+1, L+2) of a family.
These tables also indicate for each family the following two pieces of information :
Gastropods : 574 families (excluding fossils) including 131 families of slugs (without a shell, therefore)
There are approximately 2700 (almost exclusively) terrestrial genus and 1620 aquatic genus (sea, fresh or brackish water). The genus Assiminea is the only one that exists in all possible environments.
There are 7 “Genus” (often having only one species or 3 at most) that are not part of any family or even superfamily. Below is a list of these species with their direct ancestors (sea slugs in italic):
Genus Enigmavasum ← Superfamily Neogastropoda incertae sedis
Enigmavasum enigmaticum
Genus Granulimax ← Order Systellommatophora
Granulimax fuscicornis
Genus Kynaria ← Superfamily Cladobranchia incertae sedis
Kynaria cynara
Genus Larochella ← Superfamily Cimoidea
Larochella alta
Larochella toreuma
Genus Pilula ← Superfamily Helicarionoidea
Pilula cardemoyi
Pilula mahesiana
Pilula praetumida
Genus Sahlingia ← Superfamily Vetigastropoda incertae sedis
Sahlingia xanderos
Genus Trivetta ← Suborder Nudibranchia incertae sedis
Trivetta papalotia
Below, the alphabetical list of "Families" with their ancestors "Super-family" (L+1) and "Order" (L+2).
These data are automatically extracted from the "Aphia" taxonomic database thanks to the web services provided by the WoRMS site (last update: January 2026).
NB The line unassigned families" indicates families whose status is "incertae sedis" ( [-] ).
each table has 4 columns with an header :
MBFT* Family ← Super-family ← Orderthe fourth column (parent of Superfamily) is generally "Order", but that's not always the case, so we add the rank name :
• Acmaeidae ← Lottioidea ← Patellogastropoda Subclass
If the rank Order is not yet unassigned (incertae sedis) one displays, between [ ], the parent rank name :
• Modulidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ Order of Caenogastropoda ]
If the rank Family or Super-family is not yet assigned, one displays [-] :
• Babyloniidae ← [-] ← Neogastropoda
If there is no Super-family, one displays an empty symbol (∅) :
• Globocornidae ← ∅ ← [ Superorder of Sorbeoconcha ]
Finally, the “unassigned families” list displays families whose status is "incertae sedis" ( [-] ) :
• [-] ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha (Superorder)
• [-] ← ∅ ← Cephalaspidea
*MBFT ⇒ (marine brackish freshwater terrestrial)
The gray lines in italics are families with no shells (slugs)Click on a letter to hide/display the ancestors of families beginning with this letter.
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Abronicidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Abyssochrysidae ← Abyssochrysoidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Acanthodorididae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Acanthomiridae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
T Acavidae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
T Achatinellidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M T Achatinidae ← Achatinoidea ← Achatinina Suborder
T Aciculidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
M Acmaeidae ← Lottioidea ← Nacellida
M F Acochlidiidae ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
F Acroloxidae ← Lymnaeoidea ← Hygrophila Superorder
M Acteonidae ← Acteonoidea ← Acteonimorpha Subterclass
M Actinocyclidae ← Chromodoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Addisoniidae ← Lepetelloidea ← Lepetellida
M Aegiridae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Aeolidiidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
T Agardhiellidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
MB Aglajidae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
T Agriolimacidae ← Limacoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
T Aillyidae ← Achatinoidea ← Achatinina Suborder
B T Aitengidae ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
MB Akeridae ← Akeroidea ← Aplysiida
M Akiodorididae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Alacuppidae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
T Amastridae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Amathinidae ← Pyramidelloidea ← Pylopulmonata Superorder
F Amnicolidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB Amphibolidae ← Amphiboloidea ← Pylopulmonata Superorder
T Amphibulimidae ← Orthalicoidea ← Orthalicoidei Infraorder
F Amphimelaniidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
F Ampullariidae ← Ampullarioidea ← Architaenioglossa
MBF Ampullinidae ← Campaniloidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Anabathridae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Anadenidae ← Arionoidea ← Arionoidei Infraorder
M Anatomidae ← Scissurelloidea ← Lepetellida
M Ancillariidae ← Olivoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Angariidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
T Annulariidae ← Littorinoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Antarctophilinidae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Apataidae ← Apataoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Aplustridae ← Acteonoidea ← Acteonimorpha Subterclass
MB Aplysiidae ← Aplysioidea ← Aplysiida
M Aporrhaidae ← Stromboidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Architectonicidae ← Architectonicoidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
M Areneidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
T Argnidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Ariolimacidae ← Arionoidea ← Arionoidei Infraorder
T Arionidae ← Arionoidea ← Arionoidei Infraorder
T Ariophantidae ← Helicarionoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Arminidae ← Arminoidea ← Arminina Suborder
B Ascorhiidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Asperspinidae ← Parhedyloidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
MBFT Assimineidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Athoracophoridae ← Athoracophoroidea ← Succineoidei Infraorder
M Atlantidae ← Pterotracheoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Austrosiphonidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Azecidae ← Azecoidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Babakinidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Babyloniidae ← [-] ← Neogastropoda
F Baicaliidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB Barleeiidae ← Rissooidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Bathydeviidae ← ∅ ← [ Suborder of Nudibranchia ]
M Bathydorididae ← Bathydoridoidea ← Bathydoridoidei Infraorder
M Bathyhedylidae ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
MB Bathyphytophilidae ← Lepetelloidea ← Lepetellida
M Bathysciadiidae ← Cocculinoidea ← Cocculinida
MB Batillariidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
F Beddomeiidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Bellolividae ← Olivoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Belomitridae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Benthobiidae ← Olivoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Binneyidae ← Arionoidea ← Arionoidei Infraorder
BF Bithyniidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Boettgerillidae ← Limacoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Bornellidae ← Dendronotoidea ← Dendronotina Suborder
M Borsoniidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Bothriembryontidae ← Orthalicoidea ← Orthalicoidei Infraorder
M Bouchetispiridae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Buccinanopsidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
MB Buccinidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Bulimulidae ← Orthalicoidea ← Orthalicoidei Infraorder
F Bulinidae ← Lymnaeoidea ← Hygrophila Superorder
M Bullidae ← Bulloidea ← Cephalaspidea
F Burnupiidae ← Lymnaeoidea ← Hygrophila Superorder
M Bursidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Busyconidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
F Bythinellidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Cadlinellidae ← Chromodoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Cadlinidae ← Chromodoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
MB Caecidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Caledoniellidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Caliphyllidae ← Plakobranchoidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
M Calliostomatidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
M Calliotropidae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
M Calmidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
MB Calopiidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Calycidorididae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Calyptraeidae ← Calyptraeoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Camaenidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Campanilidae ← Campaniloidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
T Canariellidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Cancellariidae ← [-] ← Neogastropoda
M Capulidae ← Capuloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Carinariidae ← Pterotracheoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Caryodidae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
M Cassidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Cataegidae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
M Cavoliniidae ← Cavolinioidea ← Euthecosomata Suborder
M Caymanabyssiidae ← Lepetelloidea ← Lepetellida
T Cepolidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Cerastidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Cerionidae ← Urocoptoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
MBF Cerithiidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
MB T Cerithiopsidae ← Triphoroidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Charitodoronidae ← Mitroidea ← Neogastropoda
M Charoniidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Charopidae ← Punctoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Chauvetiidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
BF Chilinidae ← Chilinoidea ← Hygrophila Superorder
M Chilodontidae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
T Chondrinidae ← Chondrinoidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Choristellidae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
M Chromodorididae ← Chromodoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
T Chronidae ← Trochomorphoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Chudidae ← Chudoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Cimidae ← Cimoidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
M Cingulopsidae ← Cingulopsoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Clathurellidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Clausiliidae ← Clausilioidea ← Clausilioidei Infraorder
T Clavatoridae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
M Clavatulidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
BF Clenchiellidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Cliidae ← Cavolinioidea ← Euthecosomata Suborder
M Clionidae ← Clionoidea ← Gymnosomata Suborder
M Cliopsidae ← Clionoidea ← Gymnosomata Suborder
M Cocculinellidae ← Lepetelloidea ← Lepetellida
M Cocculinidae ← Cocculinoidea ← Cocculinida
M Cochlespiridae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Cochlicopidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
MBF Cochliopidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Cochlostomatidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
T Coelociontidae ← Coelociontoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Colidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Colinatydidae ← Cylichnoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Colloniidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
M Colpodaspididae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Colubrariidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Columbariidae ← Turbinelloidea ← Neogastropoda
MB Columbellidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Cominellidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Conidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Conorbidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Conradiidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
M Corambidae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Cornirostridae ← Valvatoidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
M Coryphellidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Costasiellidae ← Plakobranchoidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
M Costellariidae ← Turbinelloidea ← Neogastropoda
T Craspedopomatidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
M Creseidae ← Cavolinioidea ← Euthecosomata Suborder
M Cumanotidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Curnonidae ← Proctonotoidea ← Janolina Suborder
M Cuthonellidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
MB Cuthonidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Cuvierinidae ← Cavolinioidea ← Euthecosomata Suborder
T Cyclodontinidae ← Orthalicoidea ← Orthalicoidei Infraorder
T Cyclophoridae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
MBF Cylichnidae ← Cylichnoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Cylindrobullidae ← Oxynooidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
M Cymatiidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Cymbuliidae ← Cymbulioidea ← Pseudothecosomata Suborder
M Cypraeidae ← Cypraeoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Cystiscidae ← Volutoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Cystopeltidae ← Punctoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Dendrodorididae ← Phyllidioidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Dendronotidae ← Dendronotoidea ← Dendronotina Suborder
M Depressizonidae ← Scissurelloidea ← Lepetellida
M Desbruyeresiidae ← Abyssochrysoidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Desmopteridae ← Cymbulioidea ← Pseudothecosomata Suborder
M Dialidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Diaphanidae ← Cylichnoidea ← Cephalaspidea
T Diapheridae ← Streptaxoidea ← Achatinina Suborder
M Diastomatidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
T Diplommatinidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
MB Dironidae ← Proctonotoidea ← Janolina Suborder
T Discidae ← Discoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Discodorididae ← Doridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Dolicholatiridae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Dorcasiidae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
M Dorididae ← Doridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Doridomorphidae ← Heterodoridoidea ← Arminina Suborder
M Doridoxidae ← Heterodoridoidea ← Arminina Suborder
M Dotidae ← Dendronotoidea ← Dendronotina Suborder
T Draparnaudiidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M F Drilliidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Dyakiidae ← Trochomorphoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Eatoniellidae ← Cingulopsoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Elachisinidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB T Ellobiidae ← Ellobioidea ← Ellobiida
T Elonidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Emblandidae ← Rissooidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Embletoniidae ← Embletonioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
F Emmericiidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Endodontidae ← Punctoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
T Enidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Eoacmaeidae ← Lottioidea ← Nacellida
M Eocypraeidae ← Cypraeoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Eoscaphandridae ← Cylichnoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Eosiphonidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Epigridae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Epiphragmophoridae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Epirobiidae ← Urocoptoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Epitoniidae ← Epitonioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Eratoidae ← Velutinoidea ← Littorinimorpha
F Erhaiidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB Eubranchidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
T Eucalodiidae ← Urocoptoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
T Euconulidae ← Trochomorphoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Eudaroniidae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
M Eulimidae ← Vanikoroidea ← Littorinimorpha
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Facelinidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
MB Falsicingulidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Fasciolariidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Fauxulidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Ferussaciidae ← Achatinoidea ← Achatinina Suborder
M Ficidae ← Ficoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Fionidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Fissurellidae ← Fissurelloidea ← Lepetellida
M Flabellinidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Flabellinopsidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
F Fontigentidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Forjacellidae ← Phyllidioidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Fusiturridae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Gastrocoptidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Gastrodontidae ← Gastrodontoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Gastropteridae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
T Geomitridae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Geotrochidae ← Trochomorphoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
F Glacidorbidae ← Glacidorboidea ← Pylopulmonata Superorder
M Glaucidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Globocornidae ← ∅ ← [ Superorder of Sorbeoconcha ]
M Goniaeolididae ← ∅ ← Janolina Suborder
MB Goniodorididae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Granulinidae ← Volutoidea ← Neogastropoda
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Hainesiidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
M Haliotidae ← Haliotoidea ← Lepetellida
M Haloceratidae ← Capuloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB Haminoeidae ← Haminoeoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Hancockiidae ← Dendronotoidea ← Dendronotina Suborder
M Hantazuidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
T Haplotrematidae ← Haplotrematoidea ← Oleacinoidei Infraorder
M Harpidae ← [-] ← Neogastropoda
M Hedylopsidae ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
T Helicarionidae ← Helicarionoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M T Helicidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Helicinidae ← Helicinoidea ← Cycloneritida
T Helicodiscidae ← Punctoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
T Helicodontidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Helicohedylidae ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
M Heliconoididae ← Limacinoidea ← Euthecosomata Suborder
BF Hemisinidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Hermaeidae ← Plakobranchoidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
M Heroidae ← ∅ ← [ Suborder of Nudibranchia ]
M Heterodorididae ← Heterodoridoidea ← Arminina Suborder
M Hexabranchidae ← Chromodoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Hipponicidae ← Hipponicoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Holospiridae ← Urocoptoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Horaiclavidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Hyalocylidae ← Cavolinioidea ← Euthecosomata Suborder
M Hyalogyrinidae ← Valvatoidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
MBF Hydrobiidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Hydrocenidae ← Hydrocenoidea ← Cycloneritida
MB Hydrococcidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Hydromylidae ← Hydromyloidea ← Gymnosomata Suborder
T Hygromiidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Hypselostomatidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Ilbiidae ← Runcinoidea ← Runcinida
MB Iravadiidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Janolidae ← Proctonotoidea ← Janolina Suborder
M Juliidae ← Oxynooidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Labyrinthidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Laginiopsidae ← Hydromyloidea ← Gymnosomata Suborder
M Laonidae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Larocheidae ← Scissurelloidea ← Lepetellida
F Latiidae ← Chilinoidea ← Hygrophila Superorder
M Laubierinidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Lauriidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Lemindidae ← Proctonotoidea ← Janolina Suborder
M Lepetellidae ← Lepetelloidea ← Lepetellida
M Lepetidae ← Lepetoidea ← Nacellida
M Lepetodrilidae ← Lepetodriloidea ← Lepetellida
T Limacidae ← Limacoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Limacinidae ← Limacinoidea ← Euthecosomata Suborder
MB Limapontiidae ← Plakobranchoidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
M Liotiidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
M Lironobidae ← Rissooidea ← Littorinimorpha
BF Lithoglyphidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB Litiopidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
F Litthabitellidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MBFT Littorinidae ← Littorinoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Lomanotidae ← Dendronotoidea ← Dendronotina Suborder
M Lottiidae ← Lottioidea ← Nacellida
BF Lymnaeidae ← Lymnaeoidea ← Hygrophila Superorder
M Lyocyclidae ← ∅ ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Macrocyclidae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
M Madrellidae ← Proctonotoidea ← Janolina Suborder
M Magallanidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
T Maizaniidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
M Mancohedylidae ← Parhedyloidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
M Mandeliidae ← Phyllidioidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Mangeliidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Maningrididae ← Amphiboloidea ← Pylopulmonata Superorder
MB Margaritidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
M Marginellidae ← Volutoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Marginellonidae ← Volutoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Marisvalvatidae ← Valvatoidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
M Marshallenidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Mathildidae ← Mathildoidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
T Megalomastomatidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
T Megaspiridae ← Orthalicoidea ← Orthalicoidei Infraorder
T Megomphicidae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
M Melanodrymiidae ← Neomphaloidea ← Neomphalida
BF Melanopsidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
MB Melongenidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Micractaeonidae ← Achatinoidea ← Achatinina Suborder
T Microcystidae ← Trochomorphoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
T Milacidae ← ∅ ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Mitridae ← Mitroidea ← Neogastropoda
M Mitromorphidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Mnestiidae ← Cylichnoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Modulidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
F Moitessieriidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Murchisonellidae ← Murchisonelloidea ← Mesoneura Infraclass
MB Muricidae ← Muricoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Murmaniidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Myrrhinidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Nacellidae ← Nacelloidea ← Nacellida
MBF Nassariidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
MB Naticidae ← Naticoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Neocyclotidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
M Neolepetopsidae ← Lottioidea ← Nacellida
M Neomphalidae ← Neomphaloidea ← Neomphalida
MBFT Neritidae ← Neritoidea ← Cycloneritida
MBF Neritiliidae ← Helicinoidea ← Cycloneritida
M Neritopsidae ← Neritopsoidea ← Cycloneritida
M Newnesiidae ← Newnesioidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Newtoniellidae ← Triphoroidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Notaeolidiidae ← Notaeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Notobranchaeidae ← Clionoidea ← Gymnosomata Suborder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Odontocycladidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Odontostomidae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
T Oleacinidae ← Oleacinoidea ← Oleacinoidei Infraorder
M Olividae ← Olivoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Omalogyridae ← Omalogyroidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
MB T Onchidiidae ← Onchidioidea ← Systellommatophora
MB Onchidorididae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Onchimiridae ← Onchidoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
T Oopeltidae ← Punctoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Orbitestellidae ← Orbitestelloidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
T Orculidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Oreohelicidae ← Discoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
T Orthalicidae ← Orthalicoidea ← Orthalicoidei Infraorder
M Osteopeltidae ← Lepetelloidea ← Lepetellida
MBF Otinidae ← Ellobioidea ← Ellobiida
M Ovulidae ← Cypraeoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Oxychilidae ← Gastrodontoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Oxynoidae ← Oxynooidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
BF Pachychilidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
T Pagodulinidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
F Paludomidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
T Papillodermatidae ← Papillodermatoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Paracoryphellidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Parhedylidae ← Parhedyloidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
T Parmacellidae ← ∅ ← Limacoidei Infraorder
T Partulidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Parvaplustridae ← Tjaernoeioidea ← Mesoneura Infraclass
M Paskentanidae ← Abyssochrysoidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Patellidae ← Patelloidea ← Patellida
M Pectinodontidae ← Lepetoidea ← Nacellida
M Peltospiridae ← Neomphaloidea ← Neomphalida
M Pelycidiidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Pendromidae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
M Peraclidae ← Cymbulioidea ← Pseudothecosomata Suborder
M Personidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB Phasianellidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
M Phenacolepadidae ← Neritoidea ← Cycloneritida
M Philinidae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Philinoglossidae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Philinorbidae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
T Philomycidae ← Arionoidea ← Arionoidei Infraorder
M Phyllidiidae ← Phyllidioidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Phylliroidae ← Dendronotoidea ← Dendronotina Suborder
F Physidae ← Lymnaeoidea ← Hygrophila Superorder
M Pickworthiidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Pinufiidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Pisaniidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Piseinotecidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
MB Plakobranchidae ← Plakobranchoidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
MB Planaxidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
F Planorbidae ← Lymnaeoidea ← Hygrophila Superorder
M Platyhedylidae ← Platyhedyloidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
T Plectopylidae ← Plectopyloidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Plesiotrochidae ← Campaniloidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Pleurobranchaeidae ← Pleurobranchoidea ← Pleurobranchida
M Pleurobranchidae ← Pleurobranchoidea ← Pleurobranchida
F Pleuroceridae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
T Pleurodiscidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Pleurodontidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Pleurolidiidae ← Aeolidioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Pleurotomariidae ← Pleurotomarioidea ← Pleurotomariida
M Pneumodermatidae ← Clionoidea ← Gymnosomata Suborder
T Pollicariidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
MB Polyceridae ← Polyceroidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
T Polygyridae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Pomatiidae ← Littorinoidea ← Littorinimorpha
BFT Pomatiopsidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB Potamididae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
T Pristilomatidae ← Gastrodontoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Proctonotidae ← Proctonotoidea ← Janolina Suborder
M Prodotiidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
T Proserpinellidae ← Helicinoidea ← Cycloneritida
T Proserpinidae ← Helicinoidea ← Cycloneritida
M Prosiphonidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Provannidae ← Abyssochrysoidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Pseudococculinidae ← Lepetelloidea ← Lepetellida
M Pseudolividae ← Olivoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Pseudomelatomidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Pseudovermidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Pseudunelidae ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
M Pterotracheidae ← Pterotracheoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Ptychatractidae ← Turbinelloidea ← Neogastropoda
T Punctidae ← Punctoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
T Pupillidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Pupinidae ← Cyclophoroidea ← Architaenioglossa
MB Pyramidellidae ← Pyramidelloidea ← Pylopulmonata Superorder
T Pyramidulidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Pyramimitridae ← Mitroidea ← Neogastropoda
M Pyropeltidae ← Lepetelloidea ← Lepetellida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Quijotidae ← Pleurobranchoidea ← Pleurobranchida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Ranellidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Raphitomidae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Rastodentidae ← Cingulopsoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Rathouisiidae ← Veronicelloidea ← Systellommatophora
M Retimohniidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
MB Retusidae ← Bulloidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Rhizoridae ← Bulloidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Rhodopetalidae ← Lottioidea ← Nacellida
M Rhodopidae ← Rhodopoidea ← Mesoneura Infraclass
T Rhytididae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
M Ringiculidae ← Ringiculoidea ← Ringiculimorpha Superorder
M Rissoellidae ← Rissoelloidea ← Acteonimorpha Subterclass
MBFT Rissoidae ← Rissooidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Rissoinidae ← Rissooidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Rostellariidae ← Stromboidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Rubyspiridae ← Abyssochrysoidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Runcinidae ← Runcinoidea ← Runcinida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Sagdidae ← Sagdoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Samlidae ← Samloidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Scaliolidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Scaphandridae ← Philinoidea ← Cephalaspidea
M Scissurellidae ← Scissurelloidea ← Lepetellida
T Scolodontidae ← Scolodontoidea ← Scolodontina Suborder
T Sculptariidae ← Plectopyloidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Scyllaeidae ← Dendronotoidea ← Dendronotina Suborder
M Seguenziidae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
M F Semisulcospiridae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Seraphsidae ← Stromboidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Sherborniidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Showajidaiidae ← Chromodoridoidea ← Doridoidei Infraorder
M Siliquariidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
T Simpulopsidae ← Orthalicoidea ← Orthalicoidei Infraorder
MB Siphonariidae ← Siphonarioidea ← Siphonariida
M Skeneidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
M Skeneopsidae ← Littorinoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Solariellidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
T Solaropsidae ← Sagdoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Spelaeoconchidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Spelaeodiscidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
T Sphincterochilidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Spiraxidae ← Oleacinoidea ← Oleacinoidei Infraorder
M Spirostyliferinidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
F Squamapicidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Staffordiidae ← Trochomorphoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
BF Stenothyridae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Strepsiduridae ← [-] ← Neogastropoda
T Streptaxidae ← Streptaxoidea ← Achatinina Suborder
T Strobilopsidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Strombidae ← Stromboidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Strophocheilidae ← Rhytidoidea ← Rhytidoidei Infraorder
F Strubelliidae ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
M Struthiolariidae ← Stromboidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Succineidae ← Succineoidea ← Succineoidei Infraorder
M Sutilizonidae ← Lepetodriloidea ← Lepetellida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
F Tantulidae ← Acochlidioidea ← Acochlidiimorpha Superorder
MBF Tateidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Tecturidae ← Lottioidea ← Nacellida
M Tegulidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
MB Teinostomatidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Terebridae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Tergipedidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
T Testacellidae ← Testacelloidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
M Tethydidae ← Dendronotoidea ← Dendronotina Suborder
M Teuthirostriidae ← Cocculinoidea ← Cocculinida
M Thalassocyonidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
BF Thiaridae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Thieleidae ← Limacinoidea ← Euthecosomata Suborder
T Thysanophoridae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Tjaernoeiidae ← Tjaernoeioidea ← Mesoneura Infraclass
BF Tomichiidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Tomogeridae ← Orthalicoidea ← Orthalicoidei Infraorder
M Tomthompsoniidae ← Tomthompsonioidea ← Pleurobranchida
M Tonnidae ← Tonnoidea ← Littorinimorpha
MB Tornatinidae ← Bulloidea ← Cephalaspidea
MBF Tornidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Trichodiscinidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
T Trigonochlamydidae ← ∅ ← Limacoidei Infraorder
M Trimusculidae ← Ellobioidea ← Ellobiida
MB Trinchesiidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Triphoridae ← Triphoroidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
T Trissexodontidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
MB Tritoniidae ← Tritonioidea ← Tritonina Suborder
M Triviidae ← Velutinoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Trochaclididae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
MBFT Trochidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
T Trochomorphidae ← Trochomorphoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
MBFT Truncatellidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Truncatellinidae ← Chondrinoidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Tudiclidae ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Turbinellidae ← Turbinelloidea ← Neogastropoda
M F Turbinidae ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
M Turcicidae ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
M Turridae ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M F Turritellidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Tylodinidae ← Umbraculoidea ← Umbraculida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Umbraculidae ← Umbraculoidea ← Umbraculida
M Unidentiidae ← Unidentioidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
T Urocoptidae ← Urocoptoidea ← [ Infraorder of Helicina ]
T Urocyclidae ← Helicarionoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Valloniidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
BF Valvatidae ← Valvatoidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
M Vanikoridae ← Vanikoroidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Vasidae ← Turbinelloidea ← Neogastropoda
MB Velutinidae ← Velutinoidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Vermetidae ← Vermetoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Veronicellidae ← Veronicelloidea ← Systellommatophora
T Vertiginidae ← Pupilloidea ← Pupilloidei Infraorder
M Vitrinellidae ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Vitrinidae ← Limacoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
F Viviparidae ← Viviparoidea ← Architaenioglossa
M Volutidae ← Volutoidea ← Neogastropoda
M Volutomitridae ← Turbinelloidea ← Neogastropoda
M Volvatellidae ← Oxynooidea ← Sacoglossa Superorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Xanthonychidae ← Helicoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
M Xenocratenidae ← Fionoidea ← Aeolidina Suborder
M Xenophoridae ← Stromboidea ← Littorinimorpha
M Xylodisculidae ← Orbitestelloidea ← "Lower Heterobranchia" Infraclass
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
T Zachrysiidae ← Sagdoidea ← Helicoidei Infraorder
MB Zebinidae ← Rissooidea ← Littorinimorpha
BF Zemelanopsidae ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M Zerotulidae ← Littorinoidea ← Littorinimorpha
T Zonitidae ← Zonitoidea ← Limacoidei Infraorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M [-] ← Buccinoidea ← Neogastropoda
M [-] ← ∅ ← Cephalaspidea
M [-] ← Cerithioidea ← [ of Caenogastropoda ]
M [-] ← Conoidea ← Neogastropoda
M [-] ← Neomphaloidea ← Neomphalida
M [-] ← Seguenzioidea ← Seguenziida
M [-] ← Trochoidea ← Trochida
MB [-] ← Truncatelloidea ← Littorinimorpha
Conversely, the page conchyliology allows to display the ranks of all the super-families.
Bivalves : 119 families (excluding fossils).
All bivalves live only in an aquatic environment (sea, fresh or brackish water), more than 88% of the families in a marine environment. However, 41% of the genus live in fresh water (including brackish) and 59% in a marine (including brackish) environment.
These data are automatically extracted from the "Aphia" taxonomic database thanks to the web services provided by the WoRMS site (last update: January 2026).
each table has 4 columns with an header :
MBFT* Family ← Super-family ← Orderthe fourth column (parent of Superfamily) is generally "Order", but that's not always the case, so we add the rank name :
• Cyamiidae ← Cyamioidea ← Imparidentia Superorder
*MBF ⇒ (marine brackish freshwater)
Click on a letter to hide/display the ancestors of families beginning with this letter.
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Anatinellidae ← Mactroidea ← Venerida
MB Anomiidae ← Anomioidea ← Pectinida
MBF Arcidae ← Arcoidea ← Arcida
MB Arcticidae ← Arcticoidea ← Venerida
MB Astartidae ← Crassatelloidea ← Carditida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Basterotiidae ← Galeommatoidea ← Galeommatida
M Bathyspinulidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
M Bentholyonsiidae ← Verticordioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
MBF Cardiidae ← Cardioidea ← Cardiida
M Cardiliidae ← Mactroidea ← Venerida
M Carditidae ← Carditoidea ← Carditida
M Cetoconchidae ← Poromyoidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Chamidae ← Chamoidea ← Venerida
M Clavagellidae ← Clavagelloidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Cleidothaeridae ← Myochamoidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Clistoconchidae ← Thracioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Condylocardiidae ← Carditoidea ← Carditida
MBF Corbulidae ← Myoidea ← Myida
M Crassatellidae ← Crassatelloidea ← Carditida
M Cucullaeidae ← Arcoidea ← Arcida
M Cuspidariidae ← Cuspidarioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Cyamiidae ← Cyamioidea ← Imparidentia Superorder
M Cyclochlamydidae ← Pectinoidea ← Pectinida
MBF Cyrenidae ← Cyrenoidea ← Venerida
BF Cyrenoididae ← Cyrenoidea ← Venerida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Dimyidae ← Dimyoidea ← Pectinida
MBF Donacidae ← Tellinoidea ← Cardiida
MBF Dreissenidae ← Dreissenoidea ← Myida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
F Etheriidae ← Etherioidea ← Unionida
M Euciroidae ← Verticordioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Flemingostreidae ← Ostreoidea ← Ostreida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Gaimardiidae ← Cyamioidea ← Imparidentia Superorder
M Galatheavalvidae ← Cyamioidea ← Imparidentia Superorder
M Galeommatidae ← Galeommatoidea ← Galeommatida
M Gastrochaenidae ← Gastrochaenoidea ← Gastrochaenida
MB Glauconomidae ← Cyrenoidea ← Venerida
M Glossidae ← Glossoidea ← Venerida
M Glycymerididae ← Arcoidea ← Arcida
M Gryphaeidae ← Ostreoidea ← Ostreida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Halonymphidae ← Cuspidarioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Hemidonacidae ← Hemidonacoidea ← Venerida
M Hiatellidae ← Hiatelloidea ← Adapedonta
F Hyriidae ← Unionoidea ← Unionida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
F Iridinidae ← Etherioidea ← Unionida
MB Isognomonidae ← Pterioidea ← Ostreida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Kelliellidae ← Glossoidea ← Venerida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Lametilidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
MBF Lasaeidae ← Galeommatoidea ← Galeommatida
M Laternulidae ← Thracioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Limidae ← Limoidea ← Limida
M Limopsidae ← Limopsoidea ← Arcida
M Lucinidae ← Lucinoidea ← Lucinida
M Lyonsiellidae ← Verticordioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M F Lyonsiidae ← Pandoroidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
MBF Mactridae ← Mactroidea ← Venerida
M Malleidae ← Pterioidea ← Ostreida
M Malletiidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
M Margaritidae ← Pterioidea ← Ostreida
F Margaritiferidae ← Unionoidea ← Unionida
MBF Mesodesmatidae ← Mactroidea ← Venerida
MBF Modiolidae ← Mytiloidea ← Mytilida
F Mycetopodidae ← Etherioidea ← Unionida
MB Myidae ← Myoidea ← Myida
M Myochamidae ← Myochamoidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
MBF Mytilidae ← Mytiloidea ← Mytilida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Neilonellidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
M Neoleptonidae ← Veneroidea ← Venerida
M Noetiidae ← Arcoidea ← Arcida
M Nucinellidae ← Manzanelloidea ← Manzanellida
M Nuculanidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
M Nuculidae ← Nuculoidea ← Nuculida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
MB Ostreidae ← Ostreoidea ← Ostreida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Pandoridae ← Pandoroidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Parallelodontidae ← Arcoidea ← Arcida
M Parilimyidae ← Pholadomyoidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Pectinidae ← Pectinoidea ← Pectinida
M Penicillidae ← Clavagelloidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Periplomatidae ← Thracioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
MBF Pharidae ← Solenoidea ← Adapedonta
M Phaseolidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
M Philobryidae ← Limopsoidea ← Arcida
MBF Pholadidae ← Pholadoidea ← Myida
M Pholadomyidae ← Pholadomyoidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Pinnidae ← Pinnoidea ← Ostreida
MB Placunidae ← Anomioidea ← Pectinida
M Plicatulidae ← Plicatuloidea ← Pectinida
M Poromyidae ← Poromyoidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Pristiglomidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
M Propeamussiidae ← Pectinoidea ← Pectinida
M Protocuspidariidae ← Cuspidarioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
MB Psammobiidae ← Tellinoidea ← Cardiida
M Pteriidae ← Pterioidea ← Ostreida
M Pulvinitidae ← Pterioidea ← Ostreida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Sareptidae ← Sareptoidea ← Nuculanida
MB Semelidae ← Tellinoidea ← Cardiida
M Siliculidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
M Solecurtidae ← Tellinoidea ← Cardiida
M Solemyidae ← Solemyoidea ← Solemyida
MBF Solenidae ← Solenoidea ← Adapedonta
F Sphaeriidae ← Sphaerioidea ← Sphaeriida
M Spheniopsidae ← Cuspidarioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Spondylidae ← Pectinoidea ← Pectinida
M Sportellidae ← Cyamioidea ← Imparidentia Superorder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
MB Tellinidae ← Tellinoidea ← Cardiida
MBF Teredinidae ← Pholadoidea ← Myida
M Thraciidae ← Thracioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Thyasiridae ← Thyasiroidea ← Lucinida
M Tindariidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
MBF Trapezidae ← Arcticoidea ← Venerida
M Trigoniidae ← Trigonioidea ← Trigoniida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
MB Ungulinidae ← Ungulinoidea ← Venerida
F Unionidae ← Unionoidea ← Unionida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
MB Veneridae ← Veneroidea ← Venerida
M Verticordiidae ← Verticordioidea ← Anomalodesmata Superorder
M Vesicomyidae ← Glossoidea ← Venerida
M Vulsellidae ← Pterioidea ← Ostreida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Xylophagaidae ← Pholadoidea ← Myida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Yoldiidae ← Nuculanoidea ← Nuculanida
Conversely, the page conchyliology allows to display the list of ranks L+2.
Cephalopods : 52 families (excluding fossils) only three of which have a shell.
Cephalopods are exclusively marine molluscs.
There is a "Genus" of squid (with only one species) that does not belong to any family :
Genus Parateuthis ← Superfamily Oegopsida incertae sedis
Parateuthis tunicata
These data are automatically extracted from the "Aphia" taxonomic database thanks to the web services provided by the WoRMS site (last update: January 2026).
each table has 4 columns with an header :
MBFT* Family ← Super-family ← Orderthe fourth column (parent of Superfamily) is generally "Order", but that's not always the case, so we add the rank name :
• Argonautidae ← Argonautoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
if there is no Superfamily, one display the empty symbol (∅) :
• Australitheutidae ← ∅ ← Myopsida Order
*MB ⇒ (marine brackish)
the gray lines in italics are families with no shellsClick on a letter to hide/display the ancestors of families beginning with this letter.
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Alloposidae ← Argonautoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
M Amphitretidae ← Octopodoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
M Ancistrocheiridae ← Enoploteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Architeuthidae ← Architeuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Argonautidae ← Argonautoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
M Australiteuthidae ← ∅ ← Myopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Bathypolypodidae ← Octopodoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
M Bathyteuthidae ← Bathyteuthoidea ← Bathyteuthida
M Batoteuthidae ← Chiroteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Brachioteuthidae ← Brachioteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
MB Chiroteuthidae ← Chiroteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Chtenopterygidae ← Bathyteuthoidea ← Bathyteuthida
MB Cirroctopodidae ← Opisthoteuthoidea ← Cirrata Suborder
M Cirroteuthidae ← Cirroteuthoidea ← Cirrata Suborder
M Cranchiidae ← Cranchioidea ← Oegopsida
M Cycloteuthidae ← Brachioteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Eledonidae ← Octopodoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
M Enoploteuthidae ← Enoploteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Enteroctopodidae ← Octopodoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Gonatidae ← [-] ← Oegopsida
M Grimpoteuthidae ← Opisthoteuthoidea ← Cirrata Suborder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Histioteuthidae ← [-] ← Oegopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Idiosepiidae ← Idiosepioidea ← Idiosepida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Joubiniteuthidae ← Chiroteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Lampadioteuthidae ← Enoploteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Lepidoteuthidae ← Octopoteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Loliginidae ← ∅ ← Myopsida
M Lycoteuthidae ← Enoploteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Magnapinnidae ← Chiroteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Mastigoteuthidae ← Chiroteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Megaleledonidae ← Octopodoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
M Mobydickidae ← [-] ← Oegopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Nautilidae ← Nautiloidea ← Nautilida
M Neoteuthidae ← Architeuthoidea ← Oegopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Octopodidae ← Octopodoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
M Octopoteuthidae ← Octopoteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Ocythoidae ← Argonautoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
M Ommastrephidae ← Cranchioidea ← Oegopsida
M Onychoteuthidae ← [-] ← Oegopsida
M Opisthoteuthidae ← Opisthoteuthoidea ← Cirrata Suborder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Pholidoteuthidae ← Pholidoteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Promachoteuthidae ← Chiroteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
M Psychroteuthidae ← [-] ← Oegopsida
M Pyroteuthidae ← Enoploteuthoidea ← Oegopsida
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Sepiadariidae ← Sepioloidea ← Sepiolida
M Sepiidae ← Sepioidea ← Sepiina Suborder
M Sepiolidae ← Sepioloidea ← Sepiolida
M Spirulidae ← Spiruloidea ← Spirulida
M Stauroteuthidae ← Cirroteuthoidea ← Cirrata Suborder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Thysanoteuthidae ← Cranchioidea ← Oegopsida
M Tremoctopodidae ← Argonautoidea ← Incirrata Suborder
MBFT Family ← Super-family ← Order
M Vampyroteuthidae ← ∅ ← Vampyromorpha
Conversely, the page conchyliology allows to display the list of ranks L+2.
The prospect of excessive seashell collection sometimes raises concerns among conservationists. As a result, the places most coveted by collectors are subject to strict rules to ensure the maintenance of the species sought. Unfortunately, there are still a few countries (the Philippines, for example) whose seashell trade has led to environmental degradation and a reduction in species. However, the main threat to seashell populations is the destruction of their habitat (climate change, pollution, coastal urbanization). To date, no specimen of marine molluscs is threatened with extinction, but this is not the case for terrestrial and freshwater species. Besides a storm that can send millions of molluscs to die on the beach all at once, seashell gathering is insignificant. As long as collectors preserve the seashell habitat, they are no more threatening than other predators, provided that they limit themselves to a few adult specimens of each species.
REFERENCES
french sites
english sites
personal bibliography
