''Concholepas concholepas'', the Chilean abalone, is a species of large edible sea snail, a marine gastropod

mollusk Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is e ...

. Despite the superficial resemblance, ''C. concholepas'' is not a true abalone (a species in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Haliotidae ''Haliotis'', common name abalone, is the only genus in the family Haliotidae. This genus once contained six subgenera. These subgenera have become alternate representations of ''Haliotis''. The genus consists of small to very large, edible, ...

), but a member of the family

Muricidae Muricidae is a large and varied taxonomic family of small to large predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks, commonly known as murex snails or rock snails. With about 1,600 living species, the Muricidae represent almost 10% of the Neoga ...

, also known as murex snails or rock snails. This species is native to the coasts of

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...

and

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

, where it is called ''loco'' (Chilean Spanish a loanword from Mapudungun) or ''pata de burro'' and ''chanque'' (Peruvian Coast Spanish, Peruvian Spanish). Due to overfishing, the harvesting of this species in Chile has been limited by law since 1989.

Shell description

''Concholepas concholepas'' has a thick, slightly oval, and white-brown to purple-grey gastropod shell, shell. Its very few whorl (mollusc), whorls makes it resemble a Phrygian cap in shape. The outer surface of the shell shows strong lamellose ribs of which are both radial and circular-concentric. The shell is shaped almost like that of an abalone, with a very large Aperture (mollusc), aperture compared to other muricids. A ''loco'' cannot hide completely inside the shell if it is turned upside down, so has no need of its Operculum (gastropod), operculum; instead, it relies on its strong foot to remain in place. The shell is made of calcite with an inner layer of aragonite. The shells of this species are used as ashtrays in Chile.

Ecology

Habitat and distribution

''Concholepas concholepas'' is a benthic predator that lives on rocks in temperate waters from sea level to depths of 40 m. Its diet consists of Mytilidae, mytilids (such as ''Semimytilus algosus'' and ''Perumytilus purpuratus'') and barnacles (such as ''Chthamalus scabrosus''). Its geographic distribution ranges from Lobos de Afuera in List of marine molluscs of Peru, Peru, to Cape Horn in List of marine molluscs of Chile, Chile, including the Juan Fernández Islands.
Catastro genético de locos y erizos del litoral chileno. Ministerio de Agricultura, Gobierno de Chile

Lifecycle

''Concholepas concholepas'' is dioecious, which means the populations are divided between male and females, though with no external evidence of sexual dimorphism. The fertilisation in this species occurs internal fertilisation, internally. In zona Central, Chile, central Chile, females lay Egg (biology), egg :wikt:capsule, capsules on low intertidal and shallow subtidal rocky surfaces during southern autumn months. After around one month of development inside the capsules, small planktotrophic veliger larvae (260 µm) are released. The larvae spend the following three months in the water column and once they become competent, they dwell at the sea surface until they settle on rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats down to 30 m. The normal size at which the snail reaches sexual maturity is between 5.4 and 6.7 cm; it takes about four years to reach this size.

Human uses

''Concholepas concholepas'' is used in Chilean cuisine and is commercially marketed worldwide as a delicacy — misleadingly under the name "Chilean abalone". (True abalones are herbivores, whereas ''Concholepas concholepas'' is a Muricidae, muricid, a carnivore). Its economic value and ecological importance as top predator have made it the most studied marine invertebrate species in Chile.

Commercial fishery

On the Chilean coast, ''C. concholepas'' is one of the most important edible mollusc species and is a major product of the aquacultural industry. In 1975, about 5,000 tons were extracted annually. In 1980, the extraction peaked, with a catch of 25,000 tons. Since 1989, extraction is illegal in Chile, but from 1992 onwards, some exceptions have been made for accreditation, accredited commercial Scuba diving, divers. The minimum size allowed for extraction is 10 cm. Currently, the only legal way for artisan fishermen or other people to catch locos is to have a Marine Area of Benthonic Resources Extraction permit. Even in these areas, though, extraction is prohibited from December to July from Valparaíso Region northward and from January or February to July south of it. Populations have shrunk and a recent study shows extraction is making an artificial selection to eliminate faster-growing individuals. The same study also showed the populations in Chile are relatively wikt:homogeneous, homogeneous with low genetic variability. Due to overextraction, scientists have studied the possibility of commercial cultivation since 1986.

Cuisine

In Chilean cuisine, the meat of the foot of these snails is cooked and eaten with mayonnaise or as a ''chupe de locos'' soup in an earthenware bowl. The ''chupe de locos'' typically contains about six snails' feet, 100 grams of a fatty cheese, such as Chanco cheese, two eggs, four spoons of grated bread, salt, and paprika.

Possible medical use

The hemocyanin found in the blood of ''C. concholepas'' has immunotherapeutic effects against bladder cancer, bladder and prostate cancer. In 2006 research, mice were primed with ''C. concholepas'' before implantation of bladder tumor (MBT-2) cells. Mice treated with ''C. concholepas'' showed a significant antitumor effect. The effects included prolonged survival, decreased tumor growth and incidence and lack of toxic effects.

Other possible scientific uses

''Concholepas concholepas'' gastropod shell, shells are a potential Proxy (climate), proxy-bearer for Climate change (general concept), climate change studies. There are many fossil shell accumulations in Pleistocene coastal terraces. Climate indicators are, by far, less abundant for ancient cold seas; therefore, investigating the ability of ''C. concholepas'' will provide valuable signals for long-term evolution of the sea surface temperatures in cold seas, and might be important in reconstructing the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) history.

References

Sources

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Fishing resources database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Concholepas Concholepas Concholepas, concholepas Molluscs of South America Molluscs of Chile Fauna of Peru Commercial molluscs Gastropods described in 1789