Studies on the Crown Conch Melongena Corona Gmelin

Melongena corona was studied at several locations on the Florida Gulf coast. Salinity tolerances, as determined in the laboratory, correspond to salinities of habitats occupied by this snail. It can live for long periods down to 8‰, although ultimate survival requires higher salinities. Melongena can live in habitats subject to daily salinity changes ranging between 12 and 24‰. Higher salinities, approaching oceanic, are not harmful. Embryos and larvae in capsulo are more sensitive than adults to reduced salinities. The snail has been observed to feed on a variety of detrital and living material, including oysters, but the evidence makes it doubtful that the crown conch is a serious oyster predator. Reproduction of Melongena is typical of the prosobranch gastropods. The embryonic stages are described. Measurements of egg capsule size and content show a relation of these factors to the size of animals in the adult population.