- Description
- Miters are characteristically shaped and rather easily recognizable as a family. The shell shows several columellar folds on the inside, as shown in the shell shown below. The Costellariidae family (synonym, Vexillidae) includes very similar shells that were formerly classified with the Mitridae. Differences are based on anatomy of the live mollusk, and both families are found in warm water. Mitridae shells are are very similar in shape to the Costellariidae shells. While not generally as colorful, Mitridae shells do show markedly varying sculptural patterns.
- Classification
- Class: Gastropoda
- Clade: Neogastropoda
- Superfamily: Muricoidea
- Family: Mitridae
- Major Genera
- Genus: Cancilla
- Genus: Imbricaria
- Genus: Mitra
- Genus: Neocancilla
- Genus: Pterygia
- Genus: Scabricola
- Genus: Subcancilla
Mitra incompta (Lightfoot, 1786)
Tesselate Miter
(a rare shell)
Mitra belcheri (Hinds, 1844)
Belcher's Miter
(an uncommon shell)
SEE MORE MITER PICTURES:
| Miter Photo Gallery |