The pink abalone, scientific name Haliotis corrugata, is a species of large edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Haliotidae, the abalones.^[2]

Subspecies

• Haliotis corrugata corrugata W. Wood, 1828 (synonyms: Haliotis diegoensis Orcutt, 1900; Haliotis nodosa Philippi, 1845)
• Haliotis corrugata oweni Talmadge, 1966 - synonym: Haliotis oweni Talmadge, 1966^[1]

Distribution

Pink abalones can be found along the Pacific coast of North America from Point Conception, California to Bahia de Santa Maria, Baja California Sur, Mexico.^[2]

Dorsal view of a shell of Haliotis corrugata

Description

The shell is thick and characterized by strong corrugations and is more circular than other U.S. abalones. There are 2 to 4 open respiratory apertures with edges that are strongly elevated above the surface of the shell. These holes collectively make up what is known as the selenizone which form as the shell grows. The epipodium is a “ruffle” of tissue along the side of the foot. The head and epipodial tentacles are black, but the epipodial fringes are a mottled black and white, with many tubercles on the surface and a lacy edge.

Ecology

Habitat

This species occupies sheltered waters at depths between 20 and 118 feet (6 - 36 m). They are herbivores, feeding on kelp and drifting algae.

Life cycle

Pink abalone have separate sexes and broadcast spawn from March to November. Maturity is reached at about 1.4 inches (35 mm) length or 3 to 4 years. Lifespan is up to 30 years or more.

Predators

Predators of this species other than mankind are sea otters, sea stars, large fish, and octopus.

Diseases

Pink abalones are subject to a chronic, progressive and lethal disease: the Withering Syndrome or abalone wasting disease, leading to mass mortality.

Threats and conservation

Pink abalone are threatened by historic overharvesting, illegal harvest, the Withering abalone syndrome disease, and climate change. In 1996 the California Department of Fish and Game closed the commercial and recreational abalone fisheries in California, but populations continued to decline. California has a Abalone Recovery Management Plan to guide conservation efforts.

The pink abalone is a U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service Species of Concern. Species of Concern are those species about which the U.S. Government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service has some concerns regarding status and threats, but for which insufficient information is available to indicate a need to list the species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Information regarding the status of pink abalone in Mexico is scant. A commercial fishery for pink abalone is still in place in Mexico and is managed by local cooperatives.

References

• Geiger D.L. & Owen B. (2012) Abalone: Worldwide Haliotidae. Hackenheim: Conchbooks. viii + 361 pp. [29 February 2012] page(s): 77

The pink abalone, Haliotis corrugata, is a species of large edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Haliotidae, the abalones.

Range

Pink abalones can be found along the Pacific coast of North America from Point Conception, California to Bahia de Santa Maria, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Shell description

The shell is thick and characterized by strong corrugations and is more circular than other U.S. abalones. There are 2 to 4 open respiratory apertures with edges that are strongly elevated above the surface of the shell. The epipodium is a “ruffle” of tissue along the side of the foot. The head and epipodial tentacles are black, but the epipodial fringes are a mottled black and white, with many tubercles on the surface and a lacy edge.

Habitat

This species occupies sheltered waters at depths between 20 and 118 feet (6 - 36 m). They are herbivores, feeding on kelp and drifting algae.

Predators

Predators of this species other than mankind are sea otters, sea stars, large fish, and octopus.

Diseases

Pink abalones are subject to a chronic, progressive and lethal disease: the Withering Syndrome or abalone wasting disease, leading to mass mortality.

Reproduction

Pink abalone have separate sexes and broadcast spawn from March to November. Maturity is reached at about 1.4 inches (35 mm) length or 3 to 4 years. Lifespan is up to 30 years or more.

Threats and Conservation

Pink abalone are threatened by historic overharvesting, illegal harvesy, the Withering abalone syndrome disease, and climate change. In 1996 the California Department of Fish and Game closed the commercial and recreational abalone fisheries in California, but populations continued to decline. California has a Abalone Recovery Management Plan to guide conservation efforts.

The pink abalone is a U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service Species of Concern. Species of Concern are those species about which the U.S. Government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service has some concerns regarding status and threats, but for which insufficient information is available to indicate a need to list the species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Information regarding the status of pink abalone in Mexico is scant. A commercial fishery for pink abalone is still in place in Mexico and is managed by local cooperatives.

References

• Oliver APH The Hamlyn Guide to Shells of the World, ISBN 0-600-56577-7