Description

The Costellariidae family is closely related to the Mitridae family, and the life styles of these molluscs are similar. However, the Vexillum miters have been placed in their own family because of differences in  anatomy and feeding. For example, accessory salivary glands (paired) secrete a quick-acting poison used to kill other molluscs. Moreover, the hypobranchial gland secretes a greenish-yellow fluid, unlike the purple stain secreted by the Mitridae. As with the Mitridae, the Vexillum miters insert their proboscis deep into prey and rasp out soft tissue with a hooked radula. 

 

Vexillum miters are found in Indo-Pacific waters, and the highly colored striped shells are a characteristic of this family. By comparison, the Mitridae found in tropical waters of the Americas run to darkish brown or duller colors. Vexillum shells also tend to have predominantly axial sculpture, unlike the Mitridae. The family designation, "Vexillidae"  is synonymous with Costellariidae. 

 

Classification

Class: Gastropoda

Clade: Neogastropoda

Superfamily: Muricoidea

Family: Costellariidae

 

Single Genus: Vexillum

Vexillum taeniatum (Lamarck, 1811)
Ribboned Miter
(a rare Indo-Pacific species)

SEE OTHER MITERS
IN BOTH FAMILIES: