Queen conch  (Strombus gigas)

Authentication

Authenticated (06/06/05) by Dr Jo Gascoigne of the University of Wales, Bangor.

Glossary

  • Alga: a collection of taxonomically unrelated groups that share some common features but are grouped together for historical reasons and for convenience. They are of simple construction, and are mainly photoautotrophic, obtaining all their energy from light and carbon dioxide, and possess the photosynthetic pigment, chlorophyll A. They range in complexity from microscopic single cells to very complex plant-like forms, such as kelps. Algal groups include blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), red algae (rhodophyta), green algae (chlorophyta), brown algae and diatoms (chromista) as well as euglenophyta.
  • Larvae: stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
  • Metamorphosis: to change shape or form, such as from a caterpillar to a moth or butterfly, a tadpole to a frog or toad.
  • Microalgae: tiny seaweeds with only one cell which often group together to form a mat or layer over the seabed and provide food for many animals
  • Plankton: aquatic organisms that drift with water movements; may be either phytoplankton (plants), or zooplankton (animals).
  • Proboscis: a tubular protrusion from the anterior of an animal (e.g. the trunk of an elephant).

References

  1. UNEP-WCMC database (August, 2002)
    http://www.unep-wcmc.org
  2. Wye, K. (1991) The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Shells.Quintet Publishing Limited, London.
  3. Enchanted Learning (August, 2002)
    http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/invertebrates/mollusk/gastropod/Conchprintout.shtml
  4. Animal Diversity Web (August, 2002)
    http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/strombus/s._gigas$narrative.html
  5. Caribbean Fisheries Management Council (August, 2002)
    http://www.caribbeanfmc.com/qcpdfs/QCfmpj96.pdf
  6. American Museum of Natural History (August, 2002)
    http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/Endangered/conch/conch.html
  7. Gascoigne, J. (2005) Pers. comm.
  8. CITES (August, 2002)
    http://www.cites.org/
  9. International Queen Conch Initiative (August, 2002)
    http://www.strombusgigas.com/index.html
left