Turbonillinae

In the taxonomy of Schander, Van Aartsen & Corgan (1999) Turbonillinae has been one of eleven recognised subfamilies in the family Pyramidellidae (according to the taxonomy of Ponder & Lindberg, 1997). In the taxonomy of Bouchet & Rocroi (2005), this subfamily comprises the subfamilies Cingulininae and Eulimellinae, that have been downgraded to the rank of tribe. ==Genera==

Genera within the subfamily Turbonillinae include: :Genera brought into synonymy: • Amamimormula Kuroda, 1928: synonym of Turbonilla Risso, 1826 • Baldra Dall & Bartsch, 1904: synonym of Turbonilla Risso, 1826 ==Problematic genera within the family Turbonillinae==

The following genera were difficult to place within the subfamily Turbonillinae (= Turbonillini + Cingulinini + Eulimellini): • Atomiscala DeBoury, 1909 • Atomiscala islandica Warén, 1989 • Hamarilla Eames & Wilkins, 1957 • Pseudographis Mifsud, 1998: synonym of Kejdonia Mifsud, 1999 • Rissopsetia Dell, 1956 • Rissopsetia hummelincki Faber, 1984 • Rissopsetia islandica Warén, 1989 The genus Ebala was previously placed in the Eulimellinae, but was then placed in the family Ebalidae, that is a synonym of Murchisonellidae. ==Distribution==

This family is found worldwide. ==Shell description==

The shell of these snails has a blunt, heterostrophic protoconch, which is pointed sideways. The shell of most species are rather high and slender. The texture of these shells is usually ribbed sculptured in various forms and often also have more or less prominent spirals. Their color is mostly white, cream or yellowish, sometimes with red or brown lines. The adult shell, the teleoconch is dextrally coiled, but the larval shells are sinistral. This results in a sinistrally coiled protoconch. The opening of the shell, the aperture is closed by a lid, a so called operculum. ==Life habits==

The Turbonillinae are ectoparasites, feeding mainly on other molluscs and on annelid worms. They do not have a radula. Instead their long proboscis is used to pierce the skin of its prey and suck up its fluids and soft tissues. The eyes on the grooved tentacles are situated toward the base of the tentacles. Between the head and the foot, a lobed process called the mentum (= thin projection) is visible. These molluscs are hermaphrodites. ==References==