Strombus pugilis

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Fighting conch
Strombus pugilis 01.JPG
Five views of a shell of Strombus pugilis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Littorinimorpha
Family: Strombidae
Genus: Strombus
Species:
S. pugilis
Binomial name
Strombus pugilis
Synonyms
  • Drillia actinocycla Dall & Simpson, 1901 (Described from the protoconch and early whorls of Strombus pugilis)
  • Pyramis striata Röding, 1798
  • Strombus cornutus Perry, 1811
  • Strombus nicaraguensisFluck, 1905
  • Strombus peculiarisM. Smith, 1940
  • Strombus pugilis peculiarisM. Smith, 1940
  • Strombus pugilis workiPetuch, 1993
  • Strombus sloani Leach, 1814
  • Strombus workiPetuch, 1993

Strombus pugilis, common names the fighting conch and the West Indian fighting conch, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

Contents

S. pugilis is similar in appearance to Strombus alatus , the Florida fighting conch.

Shell description

Apertural view of a live but retracted Strombus pugilis out of water in a human hand showing the brown operculum Strombus pugilis.jpg
Apertural view of a live but retracted Strombus pugilis out of water in a human hand showing the brown operculum

The maximum recorded shell length is 110 mm [1] or up to 130 mm, [2] commonly to 90 mm.

Like other species in the same genus, Strombus pugilis has a robust, somewhat heavy and solid shell, with a characteristic stromboid notch. It has a well-developed body whorl and a short and pointed spire. It presents 8 to 9 whorls, [3] each of them having a single row of subsutural spines, becoming larger towards the last whorl. [2] These spines, however, may be less conspicuous or even absent in some populations. [4] Its aperture is relatively long and slightly oblique. [3] The posterior angle of the outer lip is distinct, projecting in the posterior direction in an erect fashion. [5] The operculum is sickle-shaped, similar to several other Strombus snails.

The shell color varies from salmon-pink, [3] cream or yellow to light or strong orange, and the interior of the aperture is usually white. The anterior end presents a dark purple stain, [2] which is one of the diagnostic characters of this species, and is absent in Strombus alatus .

This species is closely similar to Strombus alatus , which has a more northerly range. Strombus alatus shells have less prominent subsutural spines and a slightly more projected outer lip. Some scientists have treated the two as distinct species; others as subspecies. [6] In an extensive study of the Stromboidea in 2005, Simone provisionally treated them as distinct species, but observed that "no spectacular morphological difference was found [and] all related differences, even those of the genital system, can be regarded as extreme of variation of a single, wide distributed, variable species." [7]

Distribution

Strombus pugilis lives in Bermuda, southeastern Florida, the Caribbean Sea, and south to Brazil. [2]

Phylogeny

 

Strombus gallus

Strombus gigas

Strombus costatus

Strombus raninus

Strombus peruvianus

Strombus galeus

Strombus latus

Strombus pugilis

Strombus alatus

Strombus gracilior

Strombus granulatus

Phylogeny and relationships of Eastern Pacific and Atlantic Strombus species, according to Latiolais et al. (2006) [8]

A cladogram based on sequences of nuclear histone H3 gene and mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase I (COI) gene showing phylogenetic relationships of (32 analyzed) species in the genus Strombus and Lambis , including Strombus pugilis, was proposed by Latiolais et al (2006). [8] In this hypothesis, Strombus pugilis and Strombus alatus apparently share a common ancestor, and are possibly close related. [8]

Ecology

Habitat

This sea snail lives on sandy and muddy bottoms, [2] [4] from the intertidal zone [4] to depths between 2 and 10 m. [5]

The minimum recorded depth for this species is 0 m; the maximum recorded depth is 55 m. [1]

Life cycle

During a long period in the initial stages of its development, the Strombus pugilis larvae feed mainly on plankton. [2] Studies indicate that some populations of Strombus pugilis may reproduce throughout the year. [9]
Reproduction orgies have been observed, on silty sand at 8-10 m. depth,
with egg cases littering the bottom, and obvious copulation in progress across a fairly large area.

Feeding habits

Strombus pugilis is known to be a herbivore, feeding on plants and algae. [10]

Human uses

The flesh of Strombus pugilis is edible. [3] It is usually cooked by boiling, and is consumed by local fishermen.

Strombus pugilis is used as a zootherapeutical product for the treatment of sexual impotence in the traditional Brazilian medicine of the Northeast region of Brazil. [11]

The shell is commonly used as a decorative item and is sold in local markets as a souvenir.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strombidae</span> Family of molluscs

Strombidae, commonly known as the true conchs, is a taxonomic family of medium-sized to very large sea snails in the superfamily Stromboidea, and the Epifamily Neostromboidae. The term true conchs, being a common name, does not have an exact meaning. It may generally refer to any of the Strombidae but sometimes is used more specifically to include only Strombus and Lambis. The family currently includes 26 extant, and 10 extinct genera.

<i>Aliger gigas</i> Species of mollusc

Aliger gigas, originally known as Strombus gigas or more recently as Lobatus gigas, commonly known as the queen conch, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family of true conches, the Strombidae. This species is one of the largest molluscs native to the Caribbean Sea, and tropical northwestern Atlantic, from Bermuda to Brazil, reaching up to 35.2 centimetres (13.9 in) in shell length. A. gigas is closely related to the goliath conch, Lobatus goliath, a species endemic to Brazil, as well as the rooster conch, Aliger gallus.

<i>Strombus</i> Genus of gastropods

Strombus is a genus of medium to large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Strombidae, which comprises the true conchs and their immediate relatives. The genus Strombus was named by Swedish Naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Around 50 living species were recognized, which vary in size from fairly small to very large. Six species live in the greater Caribbean region, including the queen conch, Strombus gigas, and the West Indian fighting conch, Strombus pugilis. However, since 2006, many species have been assigned to discrete genera. These new genera are, however, not yet found in most textbooks and collector's guides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stromboidea</span> Superfamily of gastropods

The Stromboidea, originally named the Strombacea by Rafinesque in 1815, is a superfamily of medium-sized to very large sea snails in the clade Littorinimorpha.

<i>Laevistrombus canarium</i> Species of sea snail

Laevistrombus canarium is a species of edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Strombidae. Known from illustrations in books dating from the late 17th century, L. canarium is an Indo-Pacific species occurring from India and Sri Lanka to Melanesia, Australia and southern Japan. The shell of adult individuals is coloured from light yellowish-brown to golden to grey. It has a characteristic inflated body whorl, a flared, thick outer lip, and a shallow stromboid notch. The shell is valued as an ornament, and because it is heavy and compact, it is also often used as a sinker for fishing nets.

<i>Lobatus raninus</i> Species of gastropod

Lobatus raninus, common name the hawk-wing conch, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

<i>Strombus alatus</i> Species of gastropod

Strombus alatus, the Florida fighting conch, is a species of medium-sized, warm-water sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs. Its name derives two Latin words. Strombus means, in Latin, a snail with spiral shell, which derives from the Greek στρόμβος, meaning anything turned or spun around, like a top or, as in Aristotle's Historia Animalium, a sea snail. Alatus means, in Latin, "winged".

<i>Conomurex luhuanus</i> Species of gastropod

Conomurex luhuanus, commonly known as the strawberry conch or tiger conch, is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs. C. luhuanus is found in sandy habitat among corals in the Indopacific region. They feed on algae or detritus, move with a modified foot, and have complex eyes compared to other gastropods.

<i>Titanostrombus goliath</i> Species of gastropod

Titanostrombus goliath, previously known as Lobatus goliath and Strombus goliath, common name the goliath conch, is a species of very large edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs. T. goliath is one of the largest mollusks of the Western Atlantic Ocean, and also one of the largest species among the Strombidae. It was once considered endemic to Brazil, but specimens have also been recently found in the waters of Barbados. Brazilian common names for this species include búzio de chapéu or búzio, and búzio de aba or buzo in. Some phylogenetic hypotheses consider T. goliath as closely related to the queen conch, Aliger gigas.

<i>Macrostrombus costatus</i> Species of sea snail

Macrostrombus costatus, formerly known as Strombus costatus and Lobatus costatus, or commonly known as the milk conch, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs. They are an edible species and important food source for the inhabitants of where they are found. Conchs are most notable for their medium to large-sized ornamental shells. Milk conchs are dispersed among the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, along the coasts and islands of North, Central, and South America.

<i>Aliger gallus</i> Species of gastropod

Aliger gallus, previously known as Strombus gallus, common name the rooster conch or rooster-tail conch, is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

<i>Labiostrombus epidromis</i> Species of gastropod

Labiostrombus epidromis, common name the swan conch, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

<i>Canarium scalariforme</i> Species of gastropod

Canarium scalariforme is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

<i>Canarium labiatum</i> Species of gastropod

Canarium labiatum, common name the Samar Conch, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

<i>Canarium mutabile</i> Species of gastropod

Canarium mutabile, common name the variable stromb, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

<i>Sinustrombus sinuatus</i> Species of sea snail

Sinustrombus sinuatus, common name the laciniate conch, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the true conch family, Strombidae. It is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region.

<i>Terebellum terebellum</i> Species of gastropod

Terebellum terebellum, common name the Terebellum conch, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Seraphsidae, the true conchs.

<i>Tibia insulaechorab</i> Species of sea snail

Tibia insulaechorab, common name the Arabian tibia, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Rostellariidae. It is native to the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

<i>Strombus gracilior</i> Species of gastropod

Strombus gracilior, common names the Eastern Pacific fighting conch, or the Panama fighting conch, is a species of medium to large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

<i>Titanostrombus galeatus</i> Species of gastropod

Titanostrombus galeatus, commonly known as the Eastern Pacific giant conch, is a species of large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs and their allies.

References

  1. 1 2 Welch J. J. (2010). "The "Island Rule" and Deep-Sea Gastropods: Re-Examining the Evidence". PLoS ONE 5(1): e8776. doi : 10.1371/journal.pone.0008776.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Leal, J.H. (2002). Gastropods. p. 99-147. In: Carpenter, K.E. (ed.). The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Volume 1: Introduction, molluscs, crustaceans, hagfishes, sharks, batoid fishes, and chimaeras. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Special Publication No. 5. 1600p.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Rios, E. C. (1994). Seashells of Brazil (2nd ed.). Rio Grande: FURG. ISBN   85-85042-36-2.
  4. 1 2 3 Simone, L. R. L. (2005). "Comparative morphological study of representatives of the three families of Stromboidea and the Xenophoroidea (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda), with an assessment of their phylogeny" (PDF). Arquivos de Zoologia. São Paulo, Brazil: Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo. 37 (2): 141–267. doi: 10.11606/issn.2176-7793.v37i2p141-267 . ISSN   0066-7870. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2012.
  5. 1 2 Cervigón, F. et al. (1993): FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Field guide to the commercial marine and brackish-water resources of the northern coast of South America. Rome, FAO. 513 p.
  6. ↑ Simone (2005): Comparative Morphological study of representatives of the three families of Stromboidea and the Xenophoroidea (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda), with an assessment of their phylogeny Archived 5 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine , p. 142.
  7. ↑ Simone (2005): Comparative Morphological study of representatives of the three families of Stromboidea and the Xenophoroidea (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda), with an assessment of their phylogeny Archived 5 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine , p. 169.
  8. 1 2 3 Latiolais J. M., Taylor M. S., Roy K. & Hellberg M. E. (2006). "A molecular phylogenetic analysis of strombid gastropod morphological diversity". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 41: 436-444. doi : 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.027. PDF.
  9. ↑ Cardenas, E.B., D. Aldana Aranda, and G. Martínez Olivares. (2005). Gonad development and reproductive pattern of the fighting conch Strombus pugilis (Lineé, 1758) (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia) from Campeche, Mexico. Journal of Shellfish Research 24(4):1127-1133.
  10. ↑ Robertson, R. (1961). The feeding of Strombus and related herbivorous marine gastropods. Natul. Nat. 343: 1-9
  11. ↑ Alves R. R. N. 2009. Fauna used in popular medicine in Northeast Brazil. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2009, 5:1. doi : 10.1186/1746-4269-5-1. The species is incorrectly spelled in the reference as Strombus puginis.
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