Muricinae is a taxonomic subfamily of predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks within the large family Muricidae, the murex snails and rock snails. The Muricinae represent approximately 780 valid names of fossil (378) and recent (400) species (Merle et al. 2011). This subfamily contains the true Murex, and many other closely related genera.

Systematics

The subdivision of the Muricidae into subfamilies is mainly based on the work of Bouchet & Rocroi (2005), who combined morphological and molecular data in order to define the Muricinae. However, based on latest knowledge this subfamily might represent a polyphyletic group. Traditional the Muricinae are subdivided into five informal groups, which contain 47 genera and subgenera (Merle et al. 2011):

1. Muricinae (s.s.) group
2. Pterynotus-Textilomurex group
3. Basal muricids group
4. Calotrophon-Attiliosa group The subfamilial place of the last groups should be regarded as provisional.