Genus Parachondria Dall, 1905

Type species by original designation: Turbo fascia Wood, 1828.

Description. Small to medium-sized, slender and high-spired. Axial sculpture present. Spiral sculpture present or greatly reduced, may be present as striae or may be nodulose. Sculpture often fenestrated or forming a pitted or malleated surface. Usually tufted. No shell modification for a breathing device. Peristome simple or double, often reflected and auriculate. Usually banded. Final whorl may be solute. Paucispiral corneous operculum with or without a granular deposit, deposits most developed in Jamaican species.

Remarks. Like Diplopoma, this is a very widespread genus encompassing a great deal of variation; it is probably polyphyletic. The two Central American species assigned to this genus seem closely related to the Cuban Chondropometes and Turrithyra; they may have had a common ancestor.

Etymology. G. para -, beside, near to + G. chondros, cartilage—in reference to the texture of the operculum. The name is masculine.