Conus asiaticus
| Conus asiaticus | |
|---|---|
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| Apertural and abapertural views of shell of Conus asiaticus Motta, A.J. da, 1985 | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Caenogastropoda |
| Order: | Neogastropoda |
| Superfamily: | Conoidea |
| Family: | Conidae |
| Genus: | Conus |
| Species: | C. asiaticus
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| Binomial name | |
| Conus asiaticus da Motta, 1985
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Conus asiaticus is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.[2]
Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of stinging humans, therefore live ones should be handled carefully or not at all.
There is one subspecies: Conus asiaticus lovellreevei G. Raybaudi Massilia, 1993 (synonym: Conus lovellreevei G. Raybaudi Massilia, 1993).
Description
[edit]The adult shell of Conus asiaticus typically ranges in size from 35 to 52 millimeters, though variations in size and coloration may occur depending on the local environment and genetic factors. The shell is conical and robust, with a relatively smooth surface and subtle spiral ridges. Its color pattern can include shades of cream, brown, or white, often with intricate banding or mottled markings that serve as camouflage on sandy or rocky sea floors.
As with all members of the genus Conus, C. asiaticus is both predatory and venomous. It possesses a specialized radular tooth, which functions like a harpoon, allowing it to inject venom into its prey. This venom contains a complex cocktail of conotoxins—short-chain peptides that act on ion channels and receptors in the nervous system—used to immobilize prey such as small fish, marine worms, or other mollusks. [3]
While primarily used for predation, the venom apparatus can also pose a risk to humans. Stings from cone snails, including Conus asiaticus, may cause symptoms ranging from mild localized pain and swelling to more serious neurological effects, though no fatal human envenomations by this particular species have been confirmed. Due to this risk, live specimens should be handled with extreme caution or not at all.
The venom system of cone snails is an impressive evolutionary adaptation, giving relatively slow-moving gastropods a fast and effective hunting tool. Research into cone snail venoms, particularly from other species such as Conus magus, has revealed potential for pharmaceutical development in treating chronic pain, epilepsy, and other nervous system disorders. However, C. asiaticus itself has not yet been a focus of such pharmacological studies.
Distribution
[edit]This marine species occurs in the Pacific Ocean off the Philippines and Japan and in the South China Sea off Vietnam.
References
[edit]- ^ Duda, T. (2013). "Conus asiaticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T192551A2113964. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T192551A2113964.en. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ a b Conus asiaticus da Motta, 1985. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 27 March 2010.
- ^ https://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article-abstract/73/4/391/2639619
- Filmer R.M. (2001). A Catalogue of Nomenclature and Taxonomy in the Living Conidae 1758 – 1998. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. 388pp
- Tucker J.K. (2009). Recent cone species database. September 4, 2009 Edition
- Tucker J.K. & Tenorio M.J. (2009) Systematic classification of Recent and fossil conoidean gastropods. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. 296 pp.
- Puillandre N., Duda T.F., Meyer C., Olivera B.M. & Bouchet P. (2015). One, four or 100 genera? A new classification of the cone snails. Journal of Molluscan Studies. 81: 1–23
Gallery
[edit]Conus asiaticus lovellreevei
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Conus asiaticus lovellreevei Raybaudi Massilia, G., 1993
External links
[edit]
- The Conus Biodiversity website
- "Phasmoconus asiaticus asiaticus". Gastropods.com. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- Cone Shells – Knights of the Sea