Debbie:

Although not answering many of the questions below, Emily Vokes, in Tulane
Studies in Geology and Paleontology, 1972, v 10 no 1, p 31-33 gives a
little synopsis of the genus Concholepas, the sparse occurrences in the
geologic record (Miocene of France, Australia, New Zealand, and Neogene of
Peru/Chile [C. concholepas]), apparent changes in depth and temperature of
the habitat for the genus since the Miocene occurrences, and changes in
shell thickness since the Miocene.  She also talks about the environment of
occurrence of the recent species and issues a warning (this is 1972!) about
the rapid decline of the species (similar to Jose's remarks today).  Her
remark in 1972 was:

        "At the rate at which the local inhabitants are over-collecting this
shellfish, considered a gastronomical treat by some, although not the
writer [Emily], the threat of extinction is very real".

Take care,

Paul

P.S.  By the way, the purpose of the paper was to described the first known
fossil species of Concholepas from North America which occurs in the Lower
Miocene Chipola formation in northern Florida.  The new species is
described from only one known juvenile specimen and one adult specimen
collected 15 years apart.  The species was named for the collector of the
adult specimen, Concholepas drezi E.H. Vokes 1972!

*******************

At 12:25 AM 9/26/99 -0500, you wrote:
>I have had a request for information on Concholepus concholepus.
>
>Does anyone have any information on it?  Supposedly it is a snail
>which is native to the coastal waters of Chile.  If you know of any
>papers or reports on the snail, please let me know (offline).  This is
>for a request I received for a  student.
>
>
>Concholepus concholepus
>    - coast of Chile
>    - in decline
>    - important food fishery exploited by artisanal fishers
>
>Required information
>    - information about it
>    - issues around it
>    - it's biology
>    - population
>    - catch statistics
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>Debbie
> <><
>
>