What Is An Abalone?
Any of a variety of small to enormous marine gastropod molluscs belonging to the Haliotidae family go by the common name “abalone.” Other popular names include “ear shells,” “sea ears,” and, less frequently, “muttonfish” or “muttonshells” in certain regions of Australia, “ormer” in the United Kingdom, “perlemoen” in South Africa, and “pua” in Maori for three species found in New Zealand. Marine snails are called abalone. According to taxonomy, they belong to the Haliotidae family, which now only contains the single genus Haliotis and its former six subgenera. These subgenres have evolved into different depictions of Haliotis.
The Structure Of An Abalone
Over 230 species-level taxa have been described, and there are between 30 and 130 recognized species worldwide. The most comprehensive analysis of the family deems 56 species legitimate, with 18 more subspecies. Abalones have low, open spiral structures with several open respiratory pores arranged in a row close to the shell’s edge. Nacre (mother-of-pearl), which makes up the thick inner layer of the shell and is found in many species, is highly iridescent and produces a spectrum of vibrant, changeable colors. These characteristics make the shells appealing to humans as decorative items, jewelry, and a source of vibrant mother-of-pearl. Abalone flesh is widely regarded as a delectable dish and is eaten either raw or prepared by many different civilizations.
The Description Of An Abalone
Sizes of abalone range from 20 mm (0.8 in) to 200 mm (8 in), with Haliotis rufescens being the largest species at 12 in (30 cm). Abalones have convex, rounded to oval-shaped shells that can be either very flattened or excessively arched. The majority of species’ shells have two to three whorls and a tiny, flat spire. The body whorl, the final whorl, is auriform, resembling an ear, thus earning the moniker “ear shell” for the shell. Haliotis asinina is more elongated and distended, giving it a somewhat distinct shape. The ovate-shaped, imperforate, spire-showing, and prickly ribbed shell of Haliotis cracherodii cracherodii is also uncommon.
Is Abalone Good For Your Health?
The advantages of abalone include its high protein content and mix of necessary vitamins and minerals. These include beta carotene, calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc. The level of fat is minimal, and nearly no cholesterol is present.
How Has Abalone Being Distributed WorldWide
The majority of abalone species are found in cold waters, such as those off the coasts of New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Western North America, and Japan. The haliotid family has a worldwide distribution along the coastal waters of every continent, with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctica, Pacific coast of South America, Atlantic coast of North America, and Antarctica.
Human Use Of Abalone
For ages, abalone has been gathered all over the world for both culinary and ornamental purposes. Jewelry, buttons, buckles, and inlay have all been made from abalone shells and related materials like their nacre and pearls that resemble claws. These shells have been discovered in archeological sites all over the world, from deposits at Blombos Cave in South Africa that are 100,000 years old to ancient Chinese abalone middens in California’s Northern Channel Islands. Around the Channel Islands, abalones were collected to such an extent for at least 12,000 years that shell size in the region shrunk 4,000 years ago.
Why Is Abalone Illegal In South Africa
Due to overfishing, abalone populations are presently at critically low levels. Poaching is the largest threat to abalone. Large syndicates either distribute drugs or pay people in nearby towns to illegally take abalone out of the water. After that, the abalone is shipped abroad.Due to all this the South African government has passed a law to ban people from hunting for abalone and thus making it illegal to fish for it.
