Abalone
Abalone in the aquarium
Abalone ( Haliotis ), also known as abalone and abalone, are a genus of large snails and the only genus of the mono- generic family of Haliotidae that are found in almost all warm seas (except in the western Atlantic ), partly also in temperate zones, such as Haliotis tuberculata in English Channel. They resemble in shape a pinna and have a rich mother of pearl shell. They are therefore also called iris shells. The oldest representatives of the abalone are from the Maastrichtian ( Cretaceous ).
General
The foot of the screws, with which they adhere to rocks near the coast, especially in East Asia as a coveted delicacy. This circumstance contributed greatly to the fact that several species of abalone are now threatened with extinction.
The animals show the internal structure still hints of right-left symmetry. On the other hand, engages with them, as opposed to more mobile worm, the spiral construction on the foot over: Although they still have two retractor muscles, but one is much more pronounced than the other. The top of the cup has tiny openings through which the inside of the mantle cavity swirled eyelashes seawater may also return.
Biodiversity
Worldwide, there are 66 Haliotis species. Haliotis gigantea forms of bizarrely shaped beads, the blue, green, silver or bronze shimmer. As with other mollusks are these colors - which are almost impossible to see below 15 meters of water - waste products of protein metabolism, which deposited the sheath edge as they grow the shell in this.
Types (selection)
- Haliotis tuberculata
- Haliotis gigantea
- Haliotis japonica
- Haliotis rubiginosa
- Haliotis rubra
- Haliotis rufescens
- Haliotis volcanicus
Food
In Japan, the meat of the abalone is ( are there mistakenly viewed as mussels) a popular treat. Both Haliotis gigantea (Japanese雌 贝(鲍) Megai ( awabi ), literally, " female shell ( abalone - ) " ), as well as around Japan frequently occurring Haliotis japonica ( syn. Sulculus diversicolor supertexta syn Haliotis diversicolor supertexta. Japanese床 卧/常 节, Tokobushi ) are consumed, with their meat especially as sashimi ( raw) is eaten. Furthermore, they are dried and cut into long thin strips to use as part of a Noshi, a traditional gift badge.
Paua in art
In particular, in the culture of Māori are paua, Haliotis iris, made into jewelry. This ranges from necklaces to the eyes in carved figures, Tiki, or the ornaments of the meeting houses on a marae.