Conidae
Conidae
[′kän·ə‚dē]Conidae
a family of marine gastropods. The shell is from 2 to 16 cm, conical in shape, and brightly multicolored. There are approximately 700 species. They inhabit tropical and subtropical seas. Conidae are predators who attack invertebrates. The radula is equipped with poison fangs, inside which there is a canal for the secretions of special poison glands. The similarity of the poison fangs of Conidae and those of snakes is an example of convergent development (convergence). The bite of Conidae is very painful, and in humans it causes elevated temperature and inflammation of the affected site. The shells of Conidae are used as decorations.