A new deep-sea snail, Turridrupa magnifica, capable of harpooning its prey with venomous teeth, was discovered in December 2025. What type of mollusk is it?

The fascinating new deep-sea snail, *Turridrupa magnifica*, is classified as a gastropod because it shares key characteristics with this diverse group of mollusks. Gastropods, whose name literally means "stomach foot," are distinguished by features such as a muscular foot used for movement, a distinct head, and often a single, spirally coiled shell, though some species have a reduced or absent shell. Like many other snails, *Turridrupa magnifica* possesses these fundamental traits, firmly placing it within the gastropod class.

Discovered in December 2025 as part of the Ocean Census expedition, *Turridrupa magnifica* inhabits the deep waters off New Caledonia and Vanuatu, at depths between 200 and 500 meters. This particular gastropod stands out due to its remarkable predatory strategy: it uses specialized, venomous, harpoon-like teeth to immobilize its prey with precision. Its family, Turridae, is well-known for these predatory adaptations, with radular teeth modified for injecting venom.

The discovery of *Turridrupa magnifica* highlights the incredible biodiversity still hidden in our oceans. Its harpooning method is reminiscent of the infamous cone snails, another group of venomous marine gastropods that employ a similar strategy to catch their faster-moving prey. These snails inject complex mixtures of neurotoxins, which have even shown promise for medical applications such as pain relief. Such discoveries underscore the importance of continued deep-sea exploration, revealing not only new species but also unique biological mechanisms that could hold significant scientific and pharmaceutical value.