Strombus pugilis

File:Strombus pugilis.jpg]]

The maximum recorded shell length is 110 mmWelch J. J. (2010). "The "Island Rule" and Deep-Sea Gastropods: Re-Examining the Evidence". PLoS ONE 5(1): e8776. {{doi|10.1371/journal.pone.0008776}}. or up to 130 mm,Leal, J.H. (2002). Gastropods. p. 99-147. In: Carpenter, K.E. (ed.). [ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/y4160e/y4160e08.pdf The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Volume 1: Introduction, molluscs, crustaceans, hagfishes, sharks, batoid fishes, and chimaeras.] FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Special Publication No. 5. 1600p. commonly to 90 mm.

Like other species in the same genus, Strombus pugilis has a robust, somewhat heavy and solid shell, with a characteristic stromboid notch. It has a well-developed body whorl and a short and pointed spire. It presents 8 to 9 whorls, each of them having a single row of subsutural spines, becoming larger towards the last whorl. These spines, however, may be less conspicuous or even absent in some populations. Its aperture is relatively long and slightly oblique. The posterior angle of the outer lip is distinct, projecting in the posterior direction in an erect fashion.Cervigón, F. et al. (1993): FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Field guide to the commercial marine and brackish-water resources of the northern coast of South America. Rome, FAO. 513 p. The operculum is sickle-shaped, similar to several other Strombus snails.

The shell color varies from salmon-pink,{{Cite book|last=Rios|first=E. C.|title=Seashells of Brazil|publisher=FURG|location=Rio Grande|year=1994|edition=2nd|isbn=85-85042-36-2}} cream or yellow to light or strong orange, and the interior of the aperture is usually white. The anterior end presents a dark purple stain, which is one of the diagnostic characters of this species, and is absent in Strombus alatus.

This species is closely similar to Strombus alatus, which has a more northerly range. Strombus alatus shells have less prominent subsutural spines and a slightly more projected outer lip. Some scientists have treated the two as distinct species; others as subspecies.[http://www.revistasusp.sibi.usp.br/pdf/azmz/v37n2/a01v37n2.pdf Simone (2005): Comparative Morphological study of representatives of the three families of Stromboidea and the Xenophoroidea (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda), with an assessment of their phylogeny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305152402/http://www.revistasusp.sibi.usp.br/pdf/azmz/v37n2/a01v37n2.pdf |date=5 March 2012 }}, p. 142. In an extensive study of the Stromboidea in 2005, Simone provisionally treated them as distinct species, but observed that "no spectacular morphological difference was found [and] all related differences, even those of the genital system, can be regarded as extreme of variation of a single, wide distributed, variable species."[http://www.revistasusp.sibi.usp.br/pdf/azmz/v37n2/a01v37n2.pdf Simone (2005): Comparative Morphological study of representatives of the three families of Stromboidea and the Xenophoroidea (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda), with an assessment of their phylogeny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305152402/http://www.revistasusp.sibi.usp.br/pdf/azmz/v37n2/a01v37n2.pdf |date=5 March 2012 }}, p. 169.

Strombus pugilis lives in Bermuda, southeastern Florida, the Caribbean Sea (as far east as Barbados) and south to Brazil.

A cladogram based on sequences of nuclear histone H3 gene and mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase I gene showing phylogenetic relationships of (32 analyzed) species in the genus Strombus and Lambis, including Strombus pugilis, was proposed by Latiolais et al (2006).Latiolais J. M., Taylor M. S., Roy K. & Hellberg M. E. (2006). "A molecular phylogenetic analysis of strombid gastropod morphological diversity". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 41: 436-444. {{doi|10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.027}}. [http://biology.ucsd.edu/labs/roy/PDFs/Latiolais%20et%20al.%202006%20Mol.%20Phyl.%20&%20Evol.pdf PDF]. In this hypothesis, Strombus pugilis and Strombus alatus apparently share a common ancestor, and are possibly close related.

This sea snail lives on sandy and muddy bottoms,{{Cite journal|last=Simone|first=L. R. L.|year=2005|title=Comparative morphological study of representatives of the three families of Stromboidea and the Xenophoroidea (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda), with an assessment of their phylogeny|journal=Arquivos de Zoologia|publisher=Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo|location=São Paulo, Brazil|volume=37|issue=2|pages=141–267|doi=10.11606/issn.2176-7793.v37i2p141-267|issn=0066-7870|df=dmy-all|doi-access=free}} from the intertidal zone to depths between 2 and 10 m.

The minimum recorded depth for this species is 0 m; the maximum recorded depth is 55 m.

During a long period in the initial stages of its development, the Strombus pugilis larvae feed mainly on plankton. Studies indicate that some populations of Strombus pugilis may reproduce throughout the year.Cardenas, E.B., D. Aldana Aranda, and G. Martínez Olivares. (2005). Gonad development and reproductive pattern of the fighting conch Strombus pugilis (Lineé, 1758) (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia) from Campeche, Mexico. Journal of Shellfish Research 24(4):1127-1133.

Reproduction orgies have been observed, on silty sand at 8-10 m. depth, with egg cases littering the bottom, and obvious copulation in progress across a fairly large area.

Strombus pugilis is known to be a herbivore, feeding on plants and algae.Robertson, R. (1961). The feeding of Strombus and related herbivorous marine gastropods. Natul. Nat. 343: 1-9

The flesh of Strombus pugilis is edible. It is usually cooked by boiling, and is consumed by local fishermen.

Strombus pugilis is used as a zootherapeutical product for the treatment of sexual impotence in the traditional Brazilian medicine of the Northeast region of Brazil.Alves R. R. N. 2009. Fauna used in popular medicine in Northeast Brazil. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2009, 5:1. {{doi|10.1186/1746-4269-5-1}}. The species is incorrectly spelled in the reference as Strombus puginis.

The shell is commonly used as a decorative item and is sold in local markets as a souvenir.

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• Rosenberg, G., F. Moretzsohn, and E. F. García. 2009. Gastropoda (Mollusca) of the Gulf of Mexico, pp. 579–699 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.

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{{Commons category|Strombus pugilis}}

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Category:Strombidae

Category:Gastropods described in 1758

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus