Conch

For the Indian ritual conch, see Shankha. For other uses, see Conch (disambiguation).

Apertural view of an adult queen conch Lobatus gigas with the foot, eyes and snout visible
A shell of a dead Florida crown conch Melongena corona inhabited by a hermit crab

Conch (US: /kɒŋk/ konk, UK: /kɒntʃ/ kontch[1]) is a common name of a number of different medium-to-large-sized sea snails. Conch shells typically have a high spire and a noticeable siphonal canal (in other words, the shell comes to a noticeable point on both ends).

Conches that are sometimes referred to as "true conches" are marine gastropods in the family Strombidae, specifically in the genus Strombus and other closely related genera. For example, Lobatus gigas, the queen conch, is a true conch. True conch are identified by their long spire. [2]

Many other species are also often called "conch", but are not at all closely related to the family Strombidae, including Melongena species (family Melongenidae) and the horse conch Triplofusus papillosus (family Fasciolariidae). Species commonly referred to as conches also include the sacred chank or shankha shell (Turbinella pyrum) and other Turbinella species in the family Turbinellidae. The Triton's trumpet (family Charoniidae) may also be fashioned into a horn and referred to as a conch.[3]

  1. ^ Wells, J. C. (2016). Sounds Fascinating: Further Observations on English Phonetics and Phonology. Cambridge University Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-107-15779-8.
  2. ^ Goldman, Jaime. "Library Guides: Central and South Florida Gastropod Seashell Identification Guide: Conchs". libguides.nova.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  3. ^ Hays, Jeffrey. "Conches: Characteristics, Species and Horns | Sea Life, Islands and Oceania — Facts and Details". ioa.factsanddetails.com. Retrieved 2024-10-29.