Cracking a queen conch (Strombus gigas), vanishing uses, and rare abnormalities

摘要

Strombus gigas Linnaeus, 1758, now sometimes called Eustrombus gigas or Lohatus gigas, was once common in the greater West Indian region in shallow waters down to known epths of 61 meters. It is relatively low on the food chain, being the largest herbivorous gastropod present, and is being fished out in places throughout its range. This may have undesirable long-term effects on the shallow water ecology of the region because this species has or had a wide range of predators feeding on it, including Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758.