The Pleurotomariidae, commonly known as Slit Shells, are an ancient group of mollusks characterized by their long, narrow notch, or slit, and their trochoid shape.

ECOLOGY: With a mainly tropical and subtropical world wide distribution, all of the known species inhabit very deep water beyond the continental shelf, which until recently, has made it difficult to obtain specimens.  In years past, most of the specimens were fished up using deep water traps and by trawling. In recent years though, new fishing techniques, technologies including small submersible submarines, and a better understanding of the slit shell habitats have made at least some of the species a bit more accessable.  A number of species are still very rare and highly prized by collectors.

TAXONOMY: Four genera are currently recognized; Of the 28 known living species of slit shells, the majority are classified in the genus Perotrochus. The largest known species is Entemnotrochus rumphii.  The aura and interest generated by the Pleurotomariids will continue to elevate this group of mollusks to the elete of collectable shells.
Pleurotomariidae
Pleurotomariidae

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SELECTED PLEUROTOMARIIDAE LITERATURE

The illustrated shells are from various private, or museum collections.
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PLEUROTOMARIIDAE CLASSIFICATION

Phylum: MOLLUSCA (Linné, 1758) Cuvier, 1795

Class: GASTROPODA Cuvier, 1797

Subclass: ORTHOGASTROPODA Ponder & Lindberg, 1996

Superorder: VETIGASTROPODA Salvini-Pläwen, 1980

      Superfamily: PLEUROTOMARIOIDEA Swainson, 1840

Family: PLEUROTOMARIIDAE Swainson, 1840




Highlight then click the name for additional classification information.

PLEUROTOMARIIDAE GENERA
LIVING GENERA:
Taxonomic Ref.: Geiger, D.L. & Thacker, C.E. 2005. Molecular phylogeny of Vetigastropoda reveals non-monophyletic Scissurellidae, Trochoidea, and Fissurelloidea. Molluscan Research 25(1): 47-55.
Dimensions for the Pleurotomariids are in millimeters · d =  diameter at base, and h =  height (apex of spire to base).

Genus: Bayerotrochus		 back to menutop of page
BAYEROTROCHUS Harasewych, 2002  
.    Ref.:  		    
Genus: Entemnotrochus back to menutop of page
ENTEMNOTROCHUS Fischer, 1885  
.    Ref.:  		 Entemnotrochus adansonianusEntemnotrochus adansonianus (Crosse & Fischer, 1861) - Honduras, 105mm d x 95mm h - Largest of the Western Atlantic species. Color form with yellow background color. Entemnotrochus adansonianusEntemnotrochus adansonianus (Crosse & Fischer, 1861) - Honduras, 137mm d x 126mm h - This specimen is of exceptional size. Taken by submersible craft.
Entemnotrochus rumphiiEntemnotrochus rumphii (Schepman, 1879) - Philippines, 108mm d x 80mm h - grows to be the largest of the slit shells. The illustrated specimen is an unusual yellow color form. Found throughout the Indo-Pacific. Entemnotrochus rumphiiEntemnotrochus rumphii (Schepman, 1879) - Japan, 201mm d x 168mm h - trawled off Uotsori Island. A tremendous size specimen.  
Genus: Mikadotrochus back to menutop of page
MIKADOTROCHUS Lindholm, 1927  
.    Ref.:  		    
Genus: Perotrochus back to menutop of page
PEROTROCHUS Fischer, 1885  
.    Ref.:  		 Perotrochus anseeuwiPerotrochus anseeuwi Kanazawa & Goto, 1991 - Philippines, 46mm d x 41mm h - Illustrated shell is a juvenile specimen. Perotrochus atlanticusPerotrochus atlanticus Rios & Matthews, 1968 - Brazil, 65mm d x 53mm h - Endemic to Brazil.
Perotrochus caledonicusPerotrochus caledonicus Bouchet & Metivier, 1982 - New Caledonia, 40.3mm d x 35mm h - Pustulose form. Perotrochus caledonicusPerotrochus caledonicus Bouchet & Metivier, 1982 - New Caledonia, 39mm d x 36mm h - Pustulose form. Perotrochus caledonicusPerotrochus caledonicus Bouchet & Metivier, 1982 - New Caledonia, 31mm d x 29mm h - This specimen is referred to as the smooth form, which is a misnomer, since it is still corded, but lacks the pustulose sculpture of the previous specimen.
Perotrochus gotoiPerotrochus gotoi Anseeuw, 1990 - Philippines, 42mm d x 44mm h - Limited range in the south central Philippines. Perotrochus gotoiPerotrochus gotoi Anseeuw, 1990 - Philippines, 57mm d x 60mm h - An extremely large specimen for the species. The largest know specimen is 61.6mm. Perotrochus salmianusPerotrochus salmianus (Rolle, 1899) - Philippines, 97mm h x 82mm d - Mikadotrochus schmaltzi Shikama, 1961 is a synonym.
Perotrochus vicdaniPerotrochus vicdani Kosuge, 1980 - Philippines, 52mm dx 44mm h - Known mostly from the Philippines, though it is found as far west as Vietnam. Perotrochus vicdaniPerotrochus vicdani Kosuge, 1980 - Philippines, 63mm dx 54mm h - This specimen is close to the largest known size for the species. Perotrochus vicdaniPerotrochus vicdani Kosuge, 1980 - Philippines, 52mm dx 45mm h - Brilliant flame red-orange specimen.
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