The Littorinidae are a taxonomic family of over 200 species of sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the order Littorinimorpha, commonly known as periwinkles and found worldwide.

Names

In English-speaking countries, gastropod molluscs from other families, such as the Neritidae, are sometimes also commonly known as "winkles" because they are small, round snails that occupy a similar ecological niche.

Taxonomy

These subfamilies have been recognized in the taxonomy of Bouchet & Rocroi (2005):

  • Subfamily Littorininae Children, 1834 – synonyms: Echinininae Rosewater, 1972; Tectariinae Rosewater, 1972; Melaraphidae Starobogatov & Sitnikova, 1983
  • Subfamily Lacuninae Gray, 1857 – synonyms: Risellidae Kesteven, 1903; Cremnoconchinae Preston, 1915; Bembiciidae Finlay, 1928.
  • Subfamily Laevilitorininae Reid, 1989

Genera within the family Littorinidae include:

Littorininae

Lacuninae

Laevilitorininae

subfamily ?

Synonyms

  • Corneolitorina Powell, 1951: synonym of Laevilitorina (Laevilitorina) Pfeffer in Martens & Pfeffer, 1886 represented as Laevilitorina Pfeffer, 1886
  • Haloconcha Dall, 1886 is a synonym for Lacunaria Dall, 1885
  • Macquariella Finlay, 1926: synonym of Laevilitorina Pfeffer, 1886
  • Rissolittorina Ponder, 1966: synonym of Laevilitorina Pfeffer, 1886

Further reading

David G. Reid; Suzanne T. Williams (2004). (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum. 56: 75–122. doi:.