Muricacea

The Muricacea are a superfamily of marine snails belonging to the subclass Prosobranchia within the class Gastropoda. These snails, often called murex or rock shells, are characterized by their typically elongated, heavy shells that are elaborately spined or frilled. They are found worldwide, with a significant presence in tropical regions.12

Muricaceans are predators that feed on bivalves and other shelled animals. They drill holes through their prey's shells and use a long proboscis to ingest them. Some species, like the dye murex (Murex brandaris), exude a fluid that turns into a purple dye when exposed to sunlight, historically used for Tyrian purple. Other notable members include the Venus comb (M. pecten) and species that can be pests in oyster beds, such as the oyster drill (Urosalpinx cinerea).1