Aliger gigas
Aliger gigas[edit | edit source]
Aliger gigas, commonly known as the queen conch, is a species of large edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Strombidae. This species is native to the tropical northwestern Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
Description[edit | edit source]
The shell of Aliger gigas is large and heavy, with a distinctive flared lip. The exterior of the shell is typically pink, orange, or yellow, with a glossy finish. The interior is a striking pink color, which is one of the reasons the shell is highly prized. The shell can grow up to 30 cm in length.
The animal itself has a large foot, a long snout, and two eyestalks. The foot is used for locomotion, allowing the conch to "leap" along the sea floor.
Habitat[edit | edit source]
Aliger gigas is found in warm, shallow waters, typically in seagrass beds and sandy substrates. They are often found at depths ranging from 0.3 to 18 meters. The species is distributed throughout the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Florida Keys, and the coasts of Central and South America.
Life Cycle[edit | edit source]
The life cycle of Aliger gigas begins with the laying of eggs in sandy substrates. The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae, which eventually settle to the bottom and develop into juvenile conchs. Juveniles have a thin shell and are more vulnerable to predators. As they mature, their shells thicken and develop the characteristic flared lip.
Diet[edit | edit source]
Aliger gigas is primarily a herbivore, feeding on algae and seagrass. They use their radula, a toothed tongue-like organ, to scrape food from surfaces.
Economic Importance[edit | edit source]
The queen conch is an important species for local fisheries in the Caribbean. The meat is considered a delicacy and is used in various dishes, such as conch fritters and conch chowder. The shells are also collected for decorative purposes and used in jewelry.
Conservation[edit | edit source]
Due to overfishing and habitat loss, Aliger gigas populations have declined significantly. The species is listed in Appendix II of the CITES agreement, which regulates international trade to ensure it does not threaten the species' survival.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
