Buccineacea
Quick Summary
The Buccinacea is a superfamily of marine snails, commonly known as whelks. These gastropods are characterized by their sturdy, elongated shells with a wide aperture. Many species possess a long proboscis used for feeding on other mollusks, and some can also prey on fish and crustaceans.1
Whelks are found worldwide, with cold-water species often being larger and less colorful than their tropical counterparts. The genus Buccinum represents the typical whelks within the Buccinidae family. Gastropod classification has undergone significant revisions, with Buccinacea being part of the subclass Prosobranchia within the class Gastropoda.123
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