Conch 290749 226175550 2008-07-17T04:25:15Z Badagnani 308437 :''{{otheruses}}'' {{Taxobox | name = Conch | image = Conch shell 2.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = An adult Queen Conch shell, ''Strombus gigas'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Mollusca]] | classis = [[Gastropoda]] | subclassis = [[Orthogastropoda]] | superordo = [[Caenogastropoda]] | ordo = [[Sorbeoconcha]] | subordo = [[Hypsogastropoda]] | infraordo = [[Littorinimorpha]] | superfamilia = [[Stromboidea]] | familia = [[Strombidae]] | genus = '''''Strombus''''' | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = ''[[Strombus gigas]]''<br> ''[[Strombus luhuanus]]''<br> ''[[Strombus pugilis]]''<br> ''[[Strombus tricornis]]''<br> ''[[Strombus canarium]]''<br> ''[[Strombus dolomena]]''<br> ''[[Strombus gibberulus]]''<br> ''[[Strombus conomurex]]''<br> ''[[Strombus lentigo]]''<br> ''[[Strombus doxander]]''<br> ''[[Strombus urceus]]''<br> ''[[Strombus fragilis]]''<br> ''[[Strombus gallus]]''<br> ''[[Strombus dentatus]]''<br> ''[[Strombus marginatus]]''<br> ''[[Strombus raninus]]''<br> ''[[Strombus buvonius]]''<br> }} A '''conch''' (pronounced in the U.S.A. as "konk" or "conch", {{IPAEng|ˈkɒŋk}} or {{IPA|/ˈkɒŋtʃ/}})<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/64/C007/051.html § 51. conch. 7. Pronunciation Challenges. The American Heritage Book of English Usage. 1996<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> is one of a number of different [[species]] of medium-sized to large saltwater [[snail]]s or their shells. Many people believe that the sound heard when a conch is placed against the ear is the sea. However, it is actually the echo of the blood circulation in your head. True conchs are [[Marine (ocean)|marine]] [[gastropod]] [[mollusk]]s in the family [[Strombidae]], and the genus '''''Strombus'''''. The name "conch" however, is often quite loosely applied in English-speaking countries to several kinds of very large sea snail shells which are pointed at both ends, i.e. shells which have a high [[Spire (mollusc)|spire]] and a noticeable [[siphonal canal]]. These other species include the crown conch ''[[Melongena]]'' species; the horse conch ''[[Pleuroploca gigantea]]''; and the chank shell, ''[[Turbinella]]'' species. None of these are true conchs; they are all in other [[taxonomic]] families. The true conch species within the genus ''Strombus'' vary in size from fairly small to very large. Several of the larger species such as ''[[Strombus gigas]]'', the pink conch or queen conch, are economically important as food sources. ''Strombus gigas'' is also capable of producing (very rarely) a pink, gem quality [[pearl]]. At least 65 species of Strombidae are [[extinct]], and a much larger number of species exist only in the fossil record. Of the living species, most are in the [[Indian ocean|Indo]]-[[Pacific]] Oceans. Six species live in the greater [[Caribbean]] region, including the Queen Conch, ''[[Strombus gigas]]'', and the West Indian Fighting Conch, ''[[Strombus pugilis]]''. Many species of conch, such as the Queen Conch, live on sandy bottoms among beds of sea grass in warm tropical waters. ''Strombus gigas'' is included in Appendix II of the [[UNEP]]'s [[CITES]] list of [[endangered species]], and international trade is heavily restricted.[http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.shtml] === Anatomy === Conches have spirally constructed [[Animal shell|shells]]. This spiral shell growth is usually left but on very rare occasions it can be right handed. True conchs have long eye stalks with colorful ring-marked eyes. The shell has a long and narrow aperture, and a short [[siphonal canal]], with another indentation near the anterior end called a stromboid notch. This notch is where one of the two eye stalks protrudes from the shell. The animal also has a foot ending in a pointed, sickle-shaped, [[operculum (gastropod)|operculum]]. The animals grow a flared lip on their shells only upon reaching [[sexual maturity]]. Conchs have a characteristic leaping motion, using their pointed, sickle-shaped, horny operculum to propel themselves forward. They lay [[Egg (biology)|eggs]] in long, gelatinous strands. === Human use === [[Image:Conch drawing.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A drawing of the shell of ''Strombus alatus'']] [[Image:Strombus2larcomuseum.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Moche Conch Shell. 200 A.D. [[Larco Museum|Larco Museum Collection]] Lima, Peru.]] The mollusk inside the shell is used as food, either eaten raw, as in [[salad]]s, or cooked, as in [[fritter]]s, [[chowder]]s, [[gumbo]]s, and burgers. In East Asian cuisines, the [[seafood]] is often cut into thin slices and then [[steamed]] or [[stir-frying|stir-fried]]. In El Salvador, live conch is served in a cocktail of onion, tomato, cilantro, and lemon juice. Lemon juice is squeezed onto the cocktail, causing the conch to squirm, and then the whole thing is slurped down whole, as in the manner of oysters. Conch meat is also often confused with "Scungilli", which is more accurately [[whelk]] meats. All parts of the conch meat are edible. However, most people only find the white meat appetizing. Conch shells are used throughout the south pacific, in countries such as Fiji. The Fijians used to blow in the conch shell creating a horn like sound. In resorts in Fiji they still blow the shell as a performance for the tourists. Conch shells are sometimes used as decoration, as decorative planters, and in [[cameo]] making. In classic [[Mayan art]], conchs are shown being utilized in many ways including as paint and ink holders for elite scribes, as bugles or trumpets, and as hand weapons (held by combatants by inserting their hands in the aperture). The [[Moche]] people of ancient [[Peru]] worshipped the sea and often depicted conch shells in their art. <ref>Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. ''The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the [[Larco Museum|Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera]].'' New York: [[Thames and Hudson]], 1997.</ref> Some American Aboriginals used cylindrical conch columella beads as part of breastplates and other personal adornment. See ''[http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/BAE/Bulletin164/tptoc.htm Hair Pipes].'' In popular folklore, it is believed that if one holds an open conch shell (or any other large marine snail shell) to the ear, the ocean can be heard. This phenomenon is caused by the resonant cavity of the shell producing a form of [[pink noise]] from the surrounding background ambiance.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} In some Caribbean and African American cemeteries conch shells are placed on graves. (''The Last Miles of the Way: African Homegoing Traditions, 1890-Present'', edited by Elaine Nichols). In some countries, cleaned Queen Conch (''Strombus gigas'') shells or polished fragments are sold, mainly to [[tourist]]s, as [[souvenir]]s or in [[jewelry]]. Without a permit, however, export is a breach of [[CITES]] regulations and may lead to arrest [http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050719a.htm]. This is most likely to occur on return to the tourist's home country while clearing [[customs]]. In the [[United Kingdom|UK]] conch shells are the ninth most seized import.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/science/nature/1823044.stm BBC News | SCI/TECH | UK 'complacent' over wildlife threats<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Conch shells are occasionally used as a building material, either in place of bricks or as bulk for landfill. == Conch shell as a musical instrument== Conch shells can be used as [[wind instrument]]s, by blowing into one end of the shell. This is common in some Hindu sects (see below), as well as in Fiji and many other South Pacific islands. The American jazz trombonist [[Steve Turre]] also plays conches, notably with his group Sanctified Shells. A partially [[Delay (audio effect)|echoplexed]] Indian conch was featured prominently as the primary instrument depicting the [[Space Jockey (Alien)|extraterrestrial]] environment of the derelict spaceship in [[Jerry Goldsmith]]'s [[film score|score]] for the film [[Alien (film)|''Alien'']]. Director [[Ridley Scott]] was so impressed by the eerie effect that he requested its use throughout the rest of the score, including the ''Main Title''.<ref>Mike Matessino, CD-booklet ''Alien: Complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'', Intrada (MAF 7102), 2007</ref> Composer [[John Cage]] has used partially water-filled conch shells, which, when tilted slowly, create gurgling sounds beyond the player's control, which are then amplified. == Religious symbolism of other conches == ===Hindu tradition=== A ''[[Sankh]]'' shell (the shell of a ''Turbinella'' species in the gastropod family ''[[Turbinellidae]]'') is often referred to in the West as a conch shell, or a chank shell. This is a major [[Hindu]] article of prayer. It is used as a trumpet, as a part of their religious practices, blowing on it during worship at specific points, accompanied by ceremonial bells and singing. [[Image:Hindu priest blowing conch during punja.jpg|250px|thumb|A Hindu priest blowing a ''Sankh'' during a [[puja]].]] In the story of [[Dhruva]] the divine conch plays a special part. The warriors of ancient [[India]] would blow conch shells to announce battle, such as is described in the beginning of the war of Kurukshetra, in the [[Mahabharata]], the famous Hindu epic. The god of Preservation, [[Vishnu]], is said to hold a special conch, Panchajanya, that represents life, as it has come out of life-giving waters. ===Buddhist tradition=== [[Buddhism]] has also incorporated the conch shell into its symbolism. See: [[Buddhist symbolism]]. == Literature == [[Image:Strombus alatus.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Florida Fighting Conch, ''Strombus alatus'']] [[William Golding]]'s ''[[Lord of the Flies]]'' features frequent references to "the Conch". In the book the conch is used as a trumpet to call everyone together and held by whoever is speaking at meetings, symbolically representing democracy and order. When a boulder released by Roger, Jack's lieutenant, smashes the conch, it is a sign that civilized order has collapsed and Jack's domination has begun. The famous Old English [[riddle]] ''Ic wæs be Sonde'' describes a conch: "I was by sound, near seawall, at ocean-stream; I dwelt alone in my first resting place. ... Little did I know that I, ere or since, ever should speak mouthless over mead-benches." {{Commonscat|Strombus}} ==Media== {{Listen|filename=Conch_shell.ogg|title=Conch shell|description=Demonstration of the sound of a conch shell|format=[[Ogg]]}} ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Edible molluscs]] [[Category:Commercial molluscs]] [[Category:Strombidae]] [[Category:Endangered species]] [[Category:Symbols]] [[Category:Aerophones]] [[de:Fechterschnecken]] [[es:Caracola]] [[fr:Conque]] [[gd:Spairneag]] [[gu:શંખ]]