Abalone are sea snails in the genus Haliotis, the only genus in the family Haliotidae. Their shells are distinctive for a flattened, ear-like shape, a nacreous interior and a row of holes used for respiration, and their flesh is widely considered a delicacy, consumed raw or cooked in a variety of cuisines. Abalone are globally distributed, with approximately 70 known species alive today, and while some species are small, the largest can attain a length of 12 inches.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleFarmed or Commercially Raised 1 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceFlattened, ear-like shell with a nacreous interior and a row of respiratory holes 1 Scientific Name Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: Nudibranch
Additional Source Kelp forest (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Abalone - Wikipedia
Introduction
Abalone (mass noun; or ; via Spanish abulón, from Rumsen aulón) are sea snails in the genus Haliotis, the only genus in the family Haliotidae.
Shell
Abalone shells are distinctive for their flattened, ear-like shape, nacreous interior, and row of holes used for respiration.
- sea snails globally distributed in marine waters
article text (diet), EntityId 295450
The adults are herbivorous and feed with their rhipidoglossan radula on macroalgae, preferring red or brown algae.
article text (relationship to people), EntityId 295450
Overfishing and poaching have reduced wild populations to such an extent that farmed abalone now supplies most of the abalone meat consumed.
Child Taxon Of: Haliotis, Infobox: taxon
Haliotis
View the Source2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ190093, descriptionView the Source Kelp forest (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem: Kelp Forests, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Kelp Forests, Article text
are closely associated with the kelp holdfast, while various herbivores, such as sea urchins and abalone, live under the prostrate canopy; many seastars, hydroids, and benthic fishes live among the benthic assemblages; solitary corals, various gastropods, and echinoderms live over the encrusting coralline algae.
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