The cone shell catches its dinner by extending its propboscis and firing out
a tiny harpoon-like tooth (radula) loaded with poison (conotoxin). This
immobilizes its prey which is then eaten.
 
This fascinating event can now be viewed via the Internet thanks to the
people at Neurex Inc. who have put a Quicktime Movie of a Conus magus
envenomating a goldfish (in an aquarium) on their web site.
 
Movie Info:
Filename: FISH2.MOV
Filesize: 2350K on disk
Movie Duration: 12.33 seconds  (it took me approx 18 minutes to download
using a 28.8 modem).
Size :  240W x 180 H
Normal  72 dpi
Normal colours : millions
Compressor: Cinepak Codek by
No Sound
 
If you have Movie Player, you can run it at twice the magnification (or even
full screen) but at lower resolution. This helps to show it to a larger
audience.
 
I have provided links to the movie and to an article on "The Discovery and
Development of SNX-111" (aka conotoxin MVIIA from Conus magus) on my
 
Cone Shells and Conotoxins HomePage (aka Charmaine's Killer Snail HomePage)
at URL
 
http://grimwade.biochem.unimelb.edu.au/~bgl/content.htm
  [that "~" before the bgl is a tilde]
 
The link to the movie is on the "what's new" on this HomePage. click "here"
at top of the page.
 
or enter direct at URL
http://grimwade.biochem.unimelb.edu.au/~bgl/newlog.htm
 
New items about cone shells and their toxins are continually being added to
this page and you can register to receive automatic notification by email
when new material is added by clicking at the flashing red light at the top
of the newlog.htm  page and filling out the PageWatch form.
 
I am always interested in hearing about new information about cone shells
and their toxins and welcome your contributions which will be duly
acknowledged. It is clear that this Cone Shell and Conotoxin HomePage is
becoming a useful resource to many (hit rate has been steadily increasing
over the two years it has been in operation) and I also receive 2-3 enquires
per week from school children carrying out projects on cone shells. Lets
hope they will become future members of CONCH-L.
 
Wishing all members of CONCH-L a very happy Christmas and New Year from
sunny Australia where the shelling is in season :).
Bruce Livett
 
=========================================
Bruce, Dianne, Andrew and Erica LIVETT
48 Nicholas Street
Ashburton
VICTORIA 3147
AUSTRALIA
==========================================
Telephone at home : +61-3-9885-2947
Work: +61-3-9344-5911 Fax: +61-3-9347-7730