Wentletrap

Wentletrap
	A shell of Epitonium scalare
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Subclass:	Caenogastropoda
Superfamily:	Epitonioidea
Family:	Epitoniidae; Berry, 1910 (1812)
Genera
	See text
Synonyms
	Acirsinae Cossmann, 1912; Acrillinae Jousseaume, 1912; Cirsotrematinae Jousseaume, 1912; Clathroscalinae Cossmann, 1912; Epitoniinae Berry, 1910 (1812); Gyroscalinae Jousseaume, 1912; Ianthinidae ( 19th century authors used indifferently the spellings Janthina / Ianthina and Janthinidae / Ianthinidae. The nomenclaturally valid name is Janthinidae, but the spelling Ianthinidae has remained sporadically in use throughout the 20th century.); Iodeidae Leach, 1847 (unavailable name); Janthinidae Lamarck, 1822; Lioatlantinae B. Dybowski & Grochmalicki, 1920; Nystiellidae Clench & R. D. Turner, 1952; Opaliinae Cossmann, 1912; Papyriscalinae Jousseaume, 1912; Recluziidae Iredale & McMichael, 1962 (nomen nudum); Scalariidae Lamarck, 1812; Scalidae H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 (synonym); Stenacmidae Pilsbry, 1945;

Wentletraps are small, often white, very high-spired, predatory or ectoparasitic sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Epitoniidae.

The word wentletrap originated in Dutch (wenteltrap), and it means spiral staircase. These snails are sometimes also called "staircase shells", and "ladder shells".

The family Epitoniidae belongs to the superfamily Epitonioidea. Since 2017 this family also includes the former families Janthinidae (the pelagic purple snails) and Nystiellidae, all part of the informal group Ptenoglossa.

Epitoniidae is a rather large family, with an estimated number of species about 630.

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