1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910786525703321

Autore

Kohn Alan J.

Titolo

Conus of the Southeastern United States and Caribbean / / Alan J. Kohn

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Princeton, New Jersey ; ; Oxfordshire, England : , : Princeton University Press, , 2014

©2014

ISBN

1-4008-5301-X

Edizione

[Course Book]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (477 p.)

Classificazione

WQ 8230

Disciplina

594/.3

Soggetti

Conus - Southern States

Conus - Caribbean Area

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Abbreviations Used in the Text -- 1. Setting the Stage: Approaches -- 2. Setting the Stage: The Geological Theater and the Evolutionary Play -- 3. This Book and How to Use it -- 4. Behind the Scenes: Technical Aids to the Species Accounts -- 5. Species Accounts -- Conus granulatus Linnaeus- Conus pseudaurantius Vink and von Cosel -- Conus aurantius Hwass in Bruguière- Nomina dubia -- 6. Synthesis and Conclusions -- Appendix 1. Molecular Phylogeny of Conus -- Appendix 2. Morphology-Based Phylogeny of Conus -- General Glossary -- Bibliography -- Index of Species-group Names -- General Index -- Epilogue

Sommario/riassunto

Conus is the largest genus of animals in the sea, occurring throughout the world's tropical and subtropical oceans and contributing significantly to marine biodiversity. The shells of these marine mollusks are prized for their amazing variety and extraordinary beauty. The neurotoxic venoms they produce-injected by a hollow, harpoon-like tooth into prey animals that are then paralyzed and swallowed whole-have a range of pharmaceutical applications, from painkillers to antidepressants. This beautifully illustrated book identifies 53 valid species of the southeastern United States and the Caribbean, a region that supports a diverse but taxonomically challenging group of Conus. Introductory chapters cover the evolution and phylogeny of the genus,



and notes on methodology are provided. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, taxonomy, distribution, ecology, toxicology, life history, and evolutionary relationships. The book includes more than 2,100 photos of shells on 109 splendid color plates; more than 100 additional photos, many depicting live animals in color; and 35 color distribution maps. Identifies 53 valid species-the first reassessment of western Atlantic Conus in more than seventy years Features more than 2,100 photos of shells on 109 color plates Blends the traditional shell-character approach to identification with cutting-edge shell and radular tooth morphometrics and molecular genetic analyses Includes color images of live animals as well as color distribution maps