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Queen Conch-Lobatus gigas

This photo was taken during spring break in Key Biscayne, Florida. The queen conch is a marine snail. It is a large snail with shells growing up to three hundred millimeters. One of the coolest features is the two eyestalks topped with distinctive yellow eyes. Their role in the ecosystem is herbivores eating mostly Algae and algal detritus. Studies found that exposure to predators influences the morphology of the conch shell. Predators of this species include reptiles, fish, crustaceans, mammals, etc. It is extremely edible and essential to the water community.

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Uploaded on March 29, 2017
Taken on March 9, 2017