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

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kohn, Alan J., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Conus--Southern States--Classification.

Conus.

Conus--Caribbean Area--Classification.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (477 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

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

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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

Contents:

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

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781400853014

140085301X

OCLC:

881839741