Titanostrombus galeatus

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Titanostrombus galeatus
Naturalis Biodiversity Center - ZMA.MOLL.45298 - Lobatus galeatus Swainson, 1823 - Strombidae - Mollusc shell.jpeg
Apertural view of a shell of Titanostrombus galeatus from a museum collection
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Littorinimorpha
Family: Strombidae
Genus: Titanostrombus
Species:
T. galeatus
Binomial name
Titanostrombus galeatus
(Swainson, 1823)
Synonyms [1]

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. [1]

Contents

It is an eastern Pacific species that occurs from the Gulf of California to Peru.

The shells of this species were used as a wind instruments by the Chavín, an ancient civilization from the northern Andean highlands of Peru. They are still used for this purpose in the Andes, where they are known as pututu.

Distribution

Titanostrombus galeatus occurs in several countries and regions along the coastal waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, including the Gulf of California, Mexico, Pacific Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands and Peru. [2] [3]

Description

A colored drawing of a shell of Titanostrombus galeatus from Kiener, 1843 A colored drawing of a shell of Strombus galeatus from Kiener, 1843.jpg
A colored drawing of a shell of Titanostrombus galeatus from Kiener, 1843

The shell of Titanostrombus galeatus is large (maximum size 23 cm (8.97 inches), common to 14 cm (5.46 inches)), [4] very thick and heavy. It has an oblong outline, with a short pointed spire that lacks spines and nodules and is often eroded. The body whorl is very inflated, with numerous spiral ridges and low, slightly noticeable nodules on the shoulder. The periostracum is thick. The outer lip is very flared, posteriorly expanded, not higher than the apex of the spire. The edge of the outer lip edge bears a shallow stromboid notch that is often associated with the undulations originating from the superficial spiral sculpture. The columella is smooth with a well-developed callus in this species. The shell is colored ivory white to light brown externally, with a darker spire and a brown periostracum. The aperture is bright white, and the outer lip and columellar callus are often extensively orange or dull brown in old specimens. [4]

Phylogeny

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Strombus gallus

 
 

Strombus gigas

 
 
 

Strombus costatus

 
 
 
 

Strombus raninus

 
 

Strombus peruvianus

 
 
 
 

Strombus galeatus

 
 
 

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) [5]

In 2006, Latiolais and colleagues proposed a cladogram (a tree of descent) that attempts to show the phylogenetic relationships of 34 species within the family Strombidae. The authors analysed 31 species in the genus Strombus including Lobatus galeatus (there referred to as Strombus galeatus), and three species in the allied genus Lambis . The cladogram was based on DNA sequences of both nuclear histone H3 and mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase I protein-coding gene regions. In this proposed phylogeny, Strombus galeatus is show as a sister taxon to the clade that includes Lobatus gallus (Strombus gallus), Lobatus gigas (Strombus gigas), Lobatus costatus (Strombus costatus), Lobatus raninus (Strombus raninus), Lobatus peruvianus (Strombus peruvianus) and their last common ancestor. [5]

Ecology

Titanostrombus galeatus dwells on rocky, sandy bottoms near mangrove areas. It lives in depths from the low tide mark to 15 m, but records go as deep as 30 m. [2] During the beginning of the year, in the early months, L. galeatus exhibits a gregarious behavior, forming large agglomerates in shallow waters. This is due to the mating season, which is also when oviposition occurs. Females usually lay eggs arranged in clusters called egg masses, either directly on the sand or on dead mollusk shells. [2]

During the 19th century, strombid gastropods were believed to be carnivores. This erroneous conception was based on the writings of the French naturalist Jean Baptiste Lamarck, whose classification scheme grouped strombids with the carnivorous sea snails. [6] However, subsequent studies have refuted the concept completely, proving without a doubt that strombid gastropods are herbivorous animals. [6] L. galeatus feeds primarily on macroalgae, [2] and occasionally on detritus. [7]

The giant conch is preyed upon by invertebrates, such as octopuses, and also by vertebrates, including rays (genera and species of cartilaginous fish in the family Myliobatidae), triggerfish (family Balistidae), and snappers (perciform fish in the family Lutjanidae). [2]

Behavior

Compared to other gastropods, Titanostrombus galeatus has an unusual means of locomotion, which is common only among the Strombidae. This curious series of maneuvers was originally described by the American zoologist George Howard Parker in 1922. The animal initially fixes the posterior end of the foot by thrusting the point of its sickle-shaped operculum into the substrate. Then it extends its foot forward, lifting the shell and throwing it ahead in a motion that Parker called "leaping". [8] L. galeatus is known to move long distances, on a scale of kilometers, in a matter of months. [2] Burrowing behavior, in which an individual sinks itself entirely or partially into the substrate, is frequent among strombid gastropods. [9] In the course of its life span, Lobatus galeatus spends part of the time partially buried in the sand. [2]

Human uses

Giant conch shells were used as wind instruments by the Chavín, a pre-Incan civilization that developed in the northern Andean highlands of Peru. [10] Lobatus galeatus shells were prepared for musical use through the creation of a mouthpiece. This was done by cutting a small tip of the spire out and polishing the resulting hole, thus producing a trumpet-like instrument. In 2001, twenty such instruments were excavated from the Chavín de Huantar archaeological site, which makes them nearly three thousand years old. [11] This kind of playable shell is still used in the Andes, where they are known as pututu. [11] Lobatus galeatus is edible; it is an economically important species in many areas where it occurs. It is primarily used for subsistence and commercial fishery. [2]

Related Research Articles

Strombidae 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 refer generally 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, Lobatus 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.

Stromboidea 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>Lobatus</i> Genus of gastropods

Lobatus is a genus of very large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks 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.

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

Lobatus goliath, previously known as Eustrombus 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. L. 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. L. goliath is considered closely related to the queen conch, Lobatus gigas.

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

Lobatus costatus, formerly known as Strombus 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.

Canarium fusiforme 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>Doxander vittatus</i> Species of gastropod

Doxander vittatus, common name the vitate conch, is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae, the true conchs.

<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.

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

References

  1. 1 2 MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Titanostrombus galeatus (Swainson, 1823). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1429806 on 2020-04-02
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cipirani, R.; Guzman, H. M.; Vega, A. J.; Lopez, M. (2008). "Population assessment of the conch Strombus galeatus (Gastropoda, Strombidae) in Pacific Panama" (PDF). Journal of Shellfish Research. 27 (4): 889–896. doi:10.2983/0730-8000(2008)27[889:PAOTCS]2.0.CO;2.
  3. ↑ "Gastropoda Stromboidea | Species / Lobatus Galeatus".
  4. 1 2 Senchenberg; Krupp, F.; Schneider, W.; Sommer, C.; Carpenter, K. E.; Niem, V. H. (1995). Guia FAO para la identificación de especies para los fines de la pesca (in Spanish). 1. Rome: Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación. p. 281. ISBN   92-5-303408-4.
  5. 1 2 Latiolais, J. M.; Taylor, M. S; Roy, K.; Hellberg, M. E. (2006). "A molecular phylogenetic analysis of strombid gastropod morphological diversity" (PDF). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 41 (2): 436–444. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.027. PMID   16839783.
  6. 1 2 Robertson, R. (1961). "The feeding of Strombus and related herbivorous marine gastropods". Notulae Naturae of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (343): 1–9.
  7. ↑ Poutiers, J. M. (1998). "Gastropods". In Carpenter, K. E (ed.). The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific (PDF). Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). p. 471. ISBN   92-5-104051-6.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ Parker, G. H. (1922). "The leaping of the stromb (Strombus gigas Linn.)". Journal of Experimental Zoology. 36 (2): 205–209. doi:10.1002/jez.1400360204.
  9. ↑ Savazzi, E. (1989). "New observations on burrowing in strombid gastropods". Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde. Serie A (Biologie). Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde (434): 1–10. ISSN   0341-0145.
  10. ↑ Burger, R. L.; Van Der Merwe, N. J. (1990). "Maize and the origin of Highland Chavín Civilization: An isotopic perspective". American Anthropologist. 92 (1): 85–95. doi:10.1525/aa.1990.92.1.02a00060.
  11. 1 2 Cook, P. R.; Abel, J. S.; Kolar, M. A.; Huang, P.; Huopaniemi, J.; Rick, J. W.; Chafe, C.; Chowning, J. M. (2010). "Acoustic analysis of the Chavín pututus (Strombus galeatus marine shell trumpets)" (PDF). Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 128 (4): 2359. Bibcode:2010ASAJ..128Q2359C. doi:10.1121/1.3508370. ISSN   0001-4966.
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