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
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