National Shell Museum staff’s article* on imposex in the Horse Conch (Triplofusus giganteus) from the Florida Panhandle was published this week in the Bulletin of Marine Science. Imposex is an irreversible disorder in female marine snails caused by compounds present in anti-fouling paints used on boats and ships. Exposed females can develop non-functioning male reproductive structures, including formation of a pseudo-penis. Other harmful conditions such as limited production of eggs and sterility follow, and some of the affected snails may die prematurely.
The article is important for conservation as it considers a human-imposed condition that affects the reproductive capabilities of marine snails and that ultimately may affect the survival of populations of that iconic species.
*Leal, JH, C Hulse, C D'Agostino, S Fogelson. 2025. First record of imposex in the Horse Conch, Triplofusus giganteus (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Fasciolariidae). Bulletin of Marine Science 100 (1). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385812066_First_record_of_imposex_in_the_Horse_Conch_Triplofusus_giganteus_Mollusca_Gastropoda_Fasciolariidae. Read it here.
#triplofususgiganteus #horseconch #fasciolariidae #imposex #organotins #tributyltin #triphenyltin #alligatorharbor #franklincounty #florida #floridapanhandle
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