A species of very large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Ranellidae, the tritons. The shell is well-known as a decorative object, and is sometimes modified for use as a trumpet (su.. Read more »ch as the Japanese horagai). One of the few animals that feeds on the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci. Occasional plagues of this large and destructive starfish have killed extensive areas of coral on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the western Pacific reefs. There has been much debate on whether such plagues are natural or are caused by over-fishing of the few mollusks and fish that can eat this starfish. In 1994, Australia proposed that Charonia tritonis should be put on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) list, thereby attempting to protect the species. Because of a lack of trade data concerning this seashell, the Berne Criteria from CITES were not met and the proposal was consequently withdrawn.
Philippines
