The buccinid subfamily Ancistrolepidinae (=Ancistrolepidini) Habe et Sato, 1972 includes 6 genera and 3 subgenera with more than 30 species and subspecies or form. Representatives of this subfamily differ from other Buccinidae in form of operculum, character of radula and shell sculpture. Size of shell ranges from 25-30 mm to 125-135 mm in high. All Ancistrolepidinae have more or less fusiform shell with usually well developed spiral sculpture. Most representatives have axial sculpture only of growth lines, or, sometimes, small folds. Color of shell varies from white or gray to brownish, yellowish or pinkish-violet. Operculum is horny with terminal nucleus, usually large. Periostracum is well developed, usually thick, dense, with short bristles or smooth. As in the Buccinidae the radula of Ancistrolepidini is hamiglossate, lateral teeth have three to four cusps, central tooth has two to three cusps. Sexes are separate, fertilization takes place internal. Egg capsules are large, oval, with long thin stalk. Detale egg capsules of Ancistrolepis and Clinopegma have been figured by Kantor (1988). Most species lay their egg capsules directly to the hard substrates.
[Egorov, 1994]