Thanks Bruce, David,
At present, the tank only gets dim light from a tank beside it.
I may try altering "daylight" hours as you suggest Bruce, it's a very
good suggestion.
I agree, cones are crepuscular. But there is always an exception to the
rule. A good example is
Conus californicus which is diurnal.
Refer to "Natural history and evolution patterns in Conus Californicus
Hinds in Reeve, 1844" by Fabio H. A. Costa, La Conchiglia, Jan-March
1996, p 44-52. I'm betting there are other exceptions.
I think I'll go with the name of "Aureus Linus"
...reminds me of a Monty Python character (from The Life of Bryan)
"Maximus Buttus,"
...what can I say, it makes me laugh.
Thanks to all of your for your feedback.
I'll be sure to share other interesting behaviours or
pictures as they happen.
Hafa Adai,
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Livett Family
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 12:13 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Conus aureus observations
Dear David,
I have observed the same behavior (bedding down and expelling water) in
a Conus textile that I kept for a while in my marine aquarium. The cone
first mounted the smaller prey shell and envenomated it before using its
foot to roll the prey shell over so it could more easily access the
'soft parts'. During this procedure it forcebly expelled water and
bedded down fast on the prey. It then envenomated a second time. I have
a video (VHS) of the event and those who have seen it are most
impressed. Your photo image of the Conus aureus is most impressive. What
a beautifully marked shell. As cones are crepuscular, I entrained my
Conus textile to be active in my light period by reversing the day night
cycle in the room with the marine aquarium tank. That way I could
photograph (in dim lighting) during my day hours. You may try the same.
I look forward to seeing photos of further activity in the tank. As to a
name, I find it hard to go beyond the Simpsons' character Linus or Lisa,
depending on what you judge the appropriate sex to be.
Cheers,
Bruce
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Kirsh" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 6:34 AM
Subject: Re: Conus aureus observations
> Hi Bob,
>
> I noticed the slow rise and quick descent behavior (repeatedly) in the
> Cymatium parthenopeum I found on the sandflats in North Carolina. It
> was entirely exposed in the air by water's edge when I found it but
> this behavior was about an hour later when it was still exposed.
>
> David Kirsh
> Durham, NC
>
> > From: Bob Abela <[log in to unmask]>
> > Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
> > Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 18:14:06 +1000
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Conus aureus observations
> >
> > Dear Conch-L members,
> >
> > Hello, my name is Bob Abela. Having recently relocated from Sonoma,
> > California to Guam, I'm enjoying the transition from infrequent
> > cold-water diving to frequent tropical diving. I've recently set up
> > a few small aquariums for mollusks. In one, I have a "pet" Conus
> > aureus that I'm interested in photographing, particularly to record
> > its predation habits. The main problem has been that its nocturnal.
> > I've offered a few small "feeder" mollusks and they are often
> > consumed before I have a chance to get it on film.
> >
> > Recently, I placed a Murex laciniatus in the tank, which the C.
> > aureus showed interest in. On one occasion, I watched the cone try
> > to dislodge the murex by attempting to wedge itself between the
> > Murex's aperture and the rock it was resting upon. The murex clamped
> > down hard and, in this instance, the tactic failed.
> >
> > On a seperate occasion, I observed the cone would intake a large
> > volume of water through its extended siphon, slowly raising its body
> > as it did so. Then expel it, presumeably through its rostrum
> > (difficult to tell). This was forceful and quick, pulling its shell
> > back down as it did so. It resulted in stirring sand in the
> > immediate vicinity of the murex which was resting at the edge of the
> > sand and the base of a rock. This continued for perhaps one-half
> > hour and then the cone resumed roving about. I assume this was
> > intended to irritate and perhaps dislodge the murex. The murex
> > clamped down the entire time.
> >
> > If anyone else has observed similar behaviors, I'd sure like to know
> > about it.
> >
> > A day later, I did find a nice clean murex resting bottoms up on the
> > sand, the operculum resting by its side. The animal was completely
> > consumed. The aureus rested for quite a while, exposed on the
> > surface of the sand, not even bothering to bury itself during
> > daylight hours, as is typical.
> >
> > By the way, the Murex laciniatus is now a well-preserved specimen
> > for my collection. As for my pet Conus, it's doing just fine, had
> > 'him' for about three months now. Not a gem, a couple of large
> > breaks on the body whorl. Large though, ~57mm. Maybe it's time for a
> > pet name...suggestions?
> >
> > You can view an okay close-up of the cone at:
> > http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/bobsonguam/vwp?.dir=/Public&.dnm=close
> > -up+
> > of+Conus+aureus.jpg&.view=t
> > Hope the link works! I intend to get some better shots in the very
> > near future.
> >
> > Bob Abela
> > Tamuning, Guam
> > [log in to unmask]
Bruce G. Livett PhD
Reader in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Melbourne,
Victoria, AUSTRALIA 3010
Phone: +61-3-8344 5911 / 5920
Fax: +61-3-9347 7730
Email: [log in to unmask]
Home: 48 Nicholas St. Ashburton, Victoria 3147, Australia
Email: [log in to unmask] (home)
Cone Shells: http://grimwade.biochem.unimelb.edu.au/cone/
==========================================
Nature Science Update: http://www.nature.com/nsu/020715/020715-11.html
|
